ALASKA NOTCHES FIRST WIN WITH JAMES
ANTIPOLO CITY. — Damion James finally got to taste a win in the PBA.
After four tries, the 27-year-old big man finally led his team to victory, anchoring Alaska to an 82-68 thumping of Blackwater and snapping the Aces’ three-game losing skid in the process Wednesday in the 2015 PBA Commissioner’s Cup’s first visit at the Ynares Center here.
James exploded for 11 points in the payoff period to finish with a double-double of 29 markers and 22 rebounds to help Alaska end its slide and improve to 3-5 in the standings.
“DJ is as versatile as he is. He can play the three and the four. He can rebound at the three. He didn’t play as a big man for us today, and that was really helpful,” said Alaska head coach Alex Compton.
“We played better defense. There were things we worked on, and we had a different lineup just to give Blackwater a new thing it hasn’t seen before,” added Compton, who started and kept James at the small forward position, a move which seemed to have surprised the Elite defense.
Alaska’s Makati City-born mentor also refused to pin the blame on James after the Aces suffered three straight defeats since they sent DJ Covington home.
“I don’t think that’s his (Damien James’) fault. I don’t doubt for a second that DJ is a good player,” said Compton. “Early in the season, we had some struggles just emotionally coming off the Finals. Obviously, Alaska and San Miguel hadn’t looked like world beaters this conference, so emotionally, we have to process every thing in a short time. Hopefully, we’re on the upswing. Hopefully, we get better, get more and more guys healthy, and play better.”
Despite still missing the services of JVee Casio, who is still out due to a broken nose, Chris Banchero and Ping Exciminiano held their own at the point, as the duo combined for 22 points in the win.
Though they got the W, Compton said that he’s still far from satisfied with the way his team has played today.
“We still have a long way to go. That’s not the level of basketball that we’ve been playing last conference. It’s a step to the right direction, but we’re far from the top. We’ve got to keep on getting better,” he said. “Ang sa akin, pag nanalo kami, kailangan maganda ang depensa, but we still have to get better than what we showed today.”
And they really have to, with Meralco, Talk ‘N Text, and Barangay Ginebra up in their schedule.
“We need to be better because we’re playing three of the best teams in the league next. Winning one game’s not getting it done. If we win one game, we’re automatically out, so we need at least two,”
Compton said. “We’ve got three tough games and we’ve got to play without question our best basketball this conference to close it out.”
Marcus Douthit had 21 points, 15 rebounds, and seven blocks in the defeat, as Blackwater fell to the cellar with a 2-7 record and in danger of missing the playoffs for the second straight conference. (RL)
The scores:
ALASKA 82 – James 29, Banchero 12, Exciminiano 10, Hontiveros 9, Abueva 7, Manuel 5, Thoss 4, Espinas 3, Jazul 3, Eman 0, Baguio 0, Dela Cruz 0.
BLACKWATER 68 – Douthit 21, Reyes 11, Gamalinda 11, Laure 8, Heruela 5, Salvacion 5, Faundo 4, Bulawan 2, Golla 1, Erram 0, Celiz 0, Acuna 0.
Quarterscores: 18-12, 41-33, 60-49, 82-68.
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