Alaska Aces posts first PH Cup victory

[av_one_full first min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ padding=’0px’ border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ background_color=” src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=”]

[av_heading heading=’Alaska Aces posts first PH Cup victory’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
[/av_heading]

[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
January 12, 2018
[/av_textblock]

[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]

MANILA – Alaska Aces finally got into the win column in the PBA Philippine Cup after holding off Meralco Bolts 103-98 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Calvin Abueva and Vic Manuel scored 19 apiece while Chris Banchero added 13 markers for Aces, which tied with Bolts with a 1-2 win-loss record.

After a trade of leads early in the Wednesday night game, Aces surged 22-14 on baskets by Banchero, Manuel and Jvee Casio. Bolts responded with 5 straight points, with 3 from Garvo Lanete, to come to within 19-26.

Bolts pulled closer to 6 points on back-to-back hits by Ilonggo Ken Bono but 5 straight points by Simon Enciso and inside hits by Joachim Thoss and Manuel gave Aces its largest lead 53-39.

Aces maintained the 14-point edge early in the third. Bolts went on a huge run to come to within 59-62 on consecutive triples but Aces had an answer from Abueva and Manuel for a 78-71 lead.

Bolts had another run early in the fourth to come to within 80-84 but back-to-back triples from Kevin Racal increased Aces’ lead 93-86. Free throws by Banchero and Casio sealed the win for Alaska.

“It was a hard-fought game against a tough team,” said Aces head coach Alex Compton. “I really felt like we brought some great defensive energy and teamwork. We played hard last year, but it wasn’t as hard as you saw out there.”

Chris Newsome finished with 23 points, including a perfect 14-of-14 free throw shooting, while Rommel Nino Canaleta added 16 markers for Bolts, which continued to play without injured veterans Clifford Hodge and Ranidel de Ocampo./PN
[/av_textblock]

[/av_one_full]