ACES NAIL FIRST WIN OVER CONE, TIE SERIES WITH MIXERS
Fighting with a warrior mentality, Alaska Milk finally nailed a breakout win over its former coach and pumped back life in its aspiration in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
Rob Dozier delivered a monstrous performance and his teammates did their part as the Aces came back strong from their 69-71 loss Saturday, clobbering the Mixers, 86-67, to level at 1-1 their best-of-five semis series Monday night at the MOA Arena in Pasay.
Dozier tied his PBA career-best of 28 points and established a new season-high of 27 rebounds, powering the Aces to their first win over the Mixers since coach Tim Cone’s transfer to his current team.
“Finally, we’ve got over the hump, we’ve taken the monkey off our back,” said Alaska coach Luigi Trillo.
Alaska stopped a nine-game skid versus San Mig Coffee with a solid effort on both ends that had the Aces dominating from the opening tip to the finish.
It was lopsided but not devoid of rugged and emotional moments.
Trillo said he apologized to Cone as they shook hands after the match.
“It’s a battle between two competitive teams, and it’s playoff time. It happens in the heat of the moment,” said Trillo.
It is what it is, Trillo said he’ll push his team to stay aggressive and on an attack mode at the resumption of the series after the PBA All-Star Week in Digos, Davao del Sur.
In this particular match, Dozier and the Aces imposed their game from the start, dominating with a lead of as many as 23 at 63-40.
“I just wanna be active; go out get the rebounds, blocks and steals,” said Dozier, unaware he poured in 28 points on 13-of-16 field shooting.
Denzel Bowles, the reigning Best Import, couldn’t keep up with Dozier, held to a PBA career-low of eight points.
“Bowles looked tired, and he’s their life. I think we also did well against him Saturday and he just got to where he wanted in the end,” said Trillo.
Alaska’s rock-solid defense limited San Mig Coffee to 14 points in each of the first two quarters and to 16 in the third period. Joe Devance and PJ Simon topscored with 15 points and no other Mixer finished in double figures.
The Alaska import got his team to a strong start in piling up 15 points and 16 rebounds in the first half.
And as San Mig Coffee threatened to wage a fightback in the homestretch, Dozier himself delivered the dagger baskets.
He grabbed a crucial offensive rebound following a missed layup by Jayvee Casio, and slammed it in as the Aces made it 76-51 entering the last three minutes of play.
The Aces led by as many as 17 earlier, 39-22, on a 9-2 tear by Dozier, Jayvee Casio and Gabby Espinas. (SB)
The scores:
ALASKA 86 – Dozier 28, Casio 16, Thoss 8, Baguio 8, Hontiveros 5, Espinas 4, Jazul 2, Laure 2, Dela Cruz 2, Bugia 1, Ramos 0, Reyes 0, Eman 0,Belasco 0.
SAN MIG COFFEE 67 – Devance 15, Simon 15, Bowles 8, Yap 5, Barroca 4, Alvarez 3, Mallari 3, Pingris 3, Reavis 3, Ponferrada 2, Gaco 2, Najorda 2, De Ocampo 2, Pacana 0, Gonzales 0.
Quarterscores: 24-14, 43-28, 63-44, 86-67
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