DEFENSE AGAIN KEEPS ALASKA’S SLATE IMMACULATE
Eric Menk unleashed a flashback performance as he led Alaska to its sixth straight win, a 69-56 victory over Blackwater, in the 2014-2015 PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum on Friday.
The league’s second most senior citizen at 40 years old turned back the hands of time as he got a double-double of 14 points and 13 rebounds on a 6-of-10 shooting from the field.
Younger than NLEX’s Asi Taulava by a year and five months, Menk registered his first double-double since posting a 17-point, 14-rebound statline when he was still with GlobalPort last January 17, 2014, when the Batang Pier fell to his old squad Ginebra, 108-92.
Calvin Abueva didn’t mind his paltry 5-of-19 shooting as he tallied his own double-double with his 13 points and 18 rebounds, along with five assists while Vic Manuel added 10 markers and five rebounds in the win.
“I thought we set the tone defensively in the first half. Our energy was high, I felt it was much higher than the Kia game, and I was proud with the way guys responded,” said Aces head coach Alex Compton, who also recorded his longest win streak with the team, eclipsing the five in a row he recorded in last season’s Governors Cup, spanning the elims and semis.
“Obviously, we had some struggles offensively, but if we continue to defend that way, we’ll be competitive in a lot of games,” he added.
The Aces, who won their second straight game minus injured starting center Sonny Thoss (plantar fasciitis), shot only 33-percent from the field, but held the Elite to just 30-percent.
The Elite got to as close as five with eight minutes left to play in the payoff period, but RJ Jazul and Ping Exciminiano ignited a 16-3 barrage, where Alaska blew Blackwater away and stretched the lead back to an 18-point advantage, 65-47.
Larry Rodriguez finished with 10 points and five boards for the winless Elite while JP Erram and Ogie Menor wounded up with nine points apiece.
The top defensive team in the conference, Alaska won with its defense anew, holding Blackwater to just 20 points at halftime and 38 through three quarters, the all-time lowest productions for an expansion franchise and equaling the 13th and 12th all-time lowest, respectively, in league history.
The Elite’s 56 points are also the second lowest in the conference, next only to fellow new team Kia’s 55 when the Sorento lost to Barangay Ginebra (87) in Lucena City last OCtober 25. (RL)
The scores:
Alaska 69 – Menk 14, Abueva 13, Maniel 10, Banchero 6, Baguio 6, Hontiveros 6, Casio 4, Eximiano 3, Jazul 3, Bugia 2, Dela Cruz 0, Eman 0, Dela Rosa 0.
Blackwater 56 – Rodriguez 10, Erram 9, Menor 9, Gamalinda 5, Salvacion 5, Artadi 4, Timberlake 3, Tiongson 3, Faundo 2, Nuyles 2, Ballesteros 2, Laure 2, Celiz 0, Cawaling 0.
Quarterscores: 15-9, 32-20, 46-38, 69-56.
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer & other 70+ titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download as early as 4am & share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.
