Hot Aces burn Fuel Masters
Alaska Milk became the fourth team to make the PBA Philippine Cup playoff round after a 106-85 conquest of Phoenix Petroleum at the Cuneta Astrodome Friday night.
The Aces banked on the exploits of their second group in taking command in the second quarter, then they held sway through the final half in nailing the victory that allowed Alaska to join San Miguel Beer, TNT KaTropa and Phoenix in the Final Eight.
At 6-4, the Aces stayed in contention for a Top Two finish and its twice-to-beat reward in the quarterfinals.
The Aces go for a 7-4 closing card in the elims versus the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters Wednesday at the same venue.
Phoenix Petroleum ended up with a 6-5 slate. The Fuel Masters dropped to fourth place and might slide down even more at the close of the elims Wednesday.
“I can’t ask for more. I thought we defended a lot better. We had some good energy and I felt like everybody was involved,” said Alaska coach Alex Compton.
Curiously, Vic Manuel, who was coming off an injury, seemed to be the most energetic guy in the game, coming through with 21 points and seven rebounds.
Kevin Racal also had a huge game with 20 points while RJ Jazul was a big key in their second-quarter breakaway.
Jazul, Manuel and Jake Pascual led the Alaska second group that worked on a dominating second quarter that gave the Aces a 60-42 cushion at halftime.
Jazul made 14 points with four-of-five three-pointers while Manuel and Pascual combined for 19 markers in the first half.
Matthew Wright, Willy Wilson, Cyrus Baguio and Simon Enciso actually waged a fightback for Phoenix in the third quarter, allowing them to come to within nine.
But Alaska reestablished a big margin, 79-59, before the quarter ended and the Aces refused to slow down in the final canto.
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