MANILA – Alaska Aces cruised to their second consecutive win in the 2020 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup following a 120-82 manhandling of Blackwater Elite at the AUF Sports Arena and Cultural Center in Pampanga last night.
Rookie Kevin Barkley Ebona came up with career-best 24 points while Robbie Herndon chipped in 21 markers, including five three-point conversions, as the Aces moved up to a 2-2 win-loss slate.
Vic Manuel finished with 16 points to go along with nine rebounds, as Abu Tratter, Michael Digregorio and Jeron Teng finished with double-figures 14, 12 and 11 respectively for Alaska.
The Aces set the tone early with conversions from Jvee Casio, Ebona and Teng for a 24-8 start. The lead blew further for Alaska at 56-28 midway in the second quarter, but Blackwater managed to cut it to within 40-58 at the half.
The Aces continued their onslaught in the second half with conversions from Ebona, Digregorio and Herndon for their largest lead at 114-73 following a three-pointer by Abel Galliguez.
Eduardo Daquioag finished the match with 18 points, Chris Michael Tolomia chipped in 10 markers while Rommel Nino Calaneta and Matthew Salem had nine points each for the Elite (2-2).
In the first PBA game, the Meralco Bolts leaned on the exploits of Chris Newsome in the overtime period as they pulled off a 109-104 victory over Magnolia Hotshots and improved to a 2-2 slate.
Newsome led the Bolts in the extension period with a two-pointer and a triple for a 102-100 lead. Free throws by Clifford Hodge and Newsome kept Meralco on top 105-102 before Magnolia spliced it to 105-104 on an Andy Mark Barroca hit.
Newsome added to the Bolts advantage with nine seconds left with a tough basket against the defense of Barroca before Raymond Almazan sealed the win with two free throws.
Newsome finished the game with 23 points, seven rebounds and six assists while rookie Aaron Black added 16 markers for the Bolts. Paul Lee finished the match with 32 points for the 1-3 Hotshots.
BOX SCORE:
ALASKA 120 – Ebona 24, Herndon 21, Manuel 16, Tratter 14, Digregorio 12, Teng 11, Casio 7, Galliguez 3, Brondial 2, Ayaay 2, Publico 2, Ahanmisi 2, Marcelino 2, Andrada 2.
BLACKWATER 82 – Daquioag 18, Tolomia 10, Canaleta 9, Salem 9, Trollano 6, Dennison 6, Gabriel 6, Belo 5, Desiderio 5, Dario 3, Sumang 2, Golla 2, Escoto 1, Magat 0.
QUARTERSCORES:
Q1, 38-17; Q2, 58-40; Q3, 90-61; Q4, 120-82./PN
