MANILA – Simon Enciso came up with his best game in the professional ranks to lift Alaska Aces to a 125-96 victory over TNT KaTropa in the 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The 5-foot-11 Filipino-American guard converted nine-of-12 3-point attempts to finish with career-best 30 points for Aces, which tied Phoenix Fuel Masters on top with a 2-0 win-loss card.
“It’s the same as I do (before). I’m just thankful to my teammates for getting me to the right spots and got me the ball when I needed it,” said Enciso. “I just take one shot at a time. I don’t think of what happened before.”
Vic Manuel regained his old form to finish with 18 markers, while import Mike Harris (16 points and 24 rebounds) and Chris Banchero (15 points and 14 assists) had their double-doubles for Aces.
Enciso ignited Aces’ strong 21-5 start with five 3-point conversions for a 33-13 advantage. The lead grew further to its largest at 37 points in the second half with Manuel, Harris and Banchero also doing their share.
Stacy Davis finished with 26 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists, Jeth Troy Rosario had double-double 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Jayson Castro made 13 markers for KaTropa (1-3).
Phoenix, meanwhile, banked on another strong showing by Eugene Phelps to tally its second straight triumph with a 132-91 domination of the shorthanded NorthPort Batang Pier.
Fuel Masters surged to a 23-10 start with Phelps draining consecutive points from inside. Batang Pier, however, was able to rally back at 43-46 with conversions from Rashad Woods.
Phoenix quickly regained its form with baskets from Phelps, Calvin Abueva and Rafael Joey Jazul as it pulled toward its largest lead 124-81 with shots from William Wilson and Jaypee Mendoza.
Phelps top-scored with double-double 30 points and 15 rebounds, while rookie Jason Perkins and Jazul chipped in 18 and 15 points, respectively, for Fuel Masters. Woods finished with 42 markers for Batang Pier (0-2)./PN
