MANILA – Alaska Aces went back on the winning track in the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup after mauling erstwhile unbeaten Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 74-48, on Wednesday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Rodney Brondial top-scored with 13 points, while Abu Tratter dropped a double-double of 12 points and 13 rebounds. Maverick Ahanmisi got 10 points to push the Aces to a 2-2 win-loss slate.
The Aces surged to a 17-4 start behind seven early points by Brondial. The Painters managed to cut the deficit to 10-17, but Alaska quickly increased it back to 22-12.
Rain or Shine, however, continued to misfire in the second period, which Alaska took as an advantage to secure a 41-23 halftime lead on baskets by Michael Digregorio, Ahanmisi, and Brondial. The gap stretched to its largest at 74-75 on a three-point play by Jaycee Marcelino.
Adrian Wong tallied nine points, Norbert Torres scored seven markers, while rookie Andrei Caracut and Jewel Ponferrada have six points each.
Jayvee Mocon and Rey Nambatac, who bannered the Painters’ offense three previous wins, struggled heavily in the loss, with the former held scoreless and the latter having only three points.
In the first game, San Miguel Beermen (3-1) relied on a huge second-half rampage to prevail over the Blackwater Bossing (0-4), 98-80.
June Mar Fajardo had his best game for the Beermen since returning from injury with a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Jaymar Perez and Marcio Lassiter added 14 and 13 points, respectively.
In the rain-delayed third game, Meralco Bolts (3-1) bounced back with a 90-81 victory over the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters (1-3). Allein Maliksi led the Bolts with 24 points.
BOX SCORE:
ALASKA 74 – Brondial 13, Tratter 12, Ahanmisi 10, DiGregorio 9, Teng 6, Casio 5, Banal 5, Taha 4, Marcelino 3, Adamos 3, Ebona 2, Stockton 2, Herndon 0, Publico 0.
RAIN OR SHINE 48 – Wong 9, Torres 7, Caracut 6, Ponferada 6, Nambatac 5, Belga 5, , Norwood 4, Borboran 3, Guinto 2, Santillan 1, Rivero 0, Mocon 0.
QUARTERSCORES:
19-12; 41-23; 61-39; 74-48./PN
