Alaska comes roaring in second half, stops Phoenix
Alaska Milk came back from the halftime huddle smoking and sizzled past Phoenix Petroleum, 105-89, to gain solo third place in the 2016 PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Friday night.
The Aces shrugged off a shaky first half, pummeling the Kevin Pinkney and his teammates in the second half on the way to a third straight win following earlier victories over the Tropang TNT Texters and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
Alaska has made a big turnaround from a losing conference debut against Blackwater – a game the Aces played without the injury-stricken Rob Dozier.
Shane Edwards came up with another remarkable game with 33 points and 16 rebounds while Vic Manuel provided big help off the bench, churning out 26 markers and four boards as Alaska handed Phoenix a third straight
defeat.
Pinkney scattered 18 points as the Fuel Masters led by as many as nine, 45-36, before taking the opening half at 48-43.
The Aces, meanwhile, banked largely on Vic Manuel and Shane Edwards as they fought the Fuel Masters through eight lead changes and four deadlocks in the first 24 minutes of play.
Alaska came through with a 10-to-nothing start in the second period to grab the lead at 53-48.
Edwards slammed off JC Intal, nailed the accompanying free throw then banged away a trey to highlight that strong Alaska start in the second half, prompting Phoenix to call an early timeout.
At the resumption of play, Pinkney ended their spell with a conversion from underneath the basket.
But the Aces marched on, closing the third period at 76-68 then opened the final canto with a trey from Jvee Casio and a transition basket from Edwards.
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