MANILA – Alaska Aces converted shots when it mattered and defeated Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 80-74, in the 2021-2022 PBA Governors’ Cup last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Down 60-64 early in the fourth, the Aces leaned on consecutive hits from Maverick Ahanmisi, Oluseyi Ashaolu and Michael Digregorio to take a 72-67 advantage.
The Painters kept the match close at 72-74 on a triple by Andrei Caracut but a layup by Ashaolu and a free throw by Bryan Faundo widened the lead to 77-72 with under a minute left.
Rain or Shine made its last push at 74-77 on an inside hit by Beau Belga. However, a layup by Ahanmisi and a split free throw by Robbie Herndon sealed the win for Alaska.
Ashaolu finished the game with double-double 23 points and 17 rebounds. Ahanmisi and Abu Tratter added 14 and 11 points, respectively, as the Aces moved up to third place with 4-2 win-loss slate.
Henry Walker led the way with double-double 25 points and 13 rebounds, while rookie Mike Nieto added 13 markers as the Painters slumped to 3-4 slate.
In the first game, NorthPort Batang Pier used a huge second half assault to upset erstwhile unbeaten Meralco Bolts, 109-98, and notch its first win in six games.
Down by as much as 19 points in the first half, the Batang Pier slowly clawed its way back behind Robert Bolick Jr. and Jamel Artis to trim the deficit to 47-50 at the half.
The Batang Pier continued its momentum in the third period with baskets from Jamie Malonzo, Arwind Santos and Bolick for a 63-57 advantage before it grew to its largest at 86-66 on a Troy Rike triple.
The Bolts made its last push as it trimmed the deficit to 85-94 but consecutive shots from Artis, Bolick, Santos and Shej Roi Sumang swelled Batang Pier’s lead to 103-88.
Artis finished the match with 26 points and eight rebounds, Bolick added 20 markers, while Santos has double-double 16 points and 10 rebounds for NorthPort.
BOX SCORE:
ALASKA 80 — Ashaolu 23, Ahanmisi 14, Tratter 11, Herndon 9, Teng 7, Digregorio 7, Faundo 3, Bulanadi 2, Adamos 2, Racal 2, Tolomia 0.
RAIN OR SHINE 74 — Walker 25, Nieto 13, Caracut 8, Mocon 6, Borboran 5, Belga 5, Santillan 4, Torres 3, Jackson 1, Ponferrada 1, Norwood 0, Guinto 0, Tolentino 0.
Quarterscores: 26-16, 39-39, 60-60, 80-74./PN
