MANILA – Khapri Alston made an immediate impact as the Columbian Dyip opened the 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup with a 117-110 drubbing of Alaska Aces last night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The burly 6-foot-3 reinforcement tallied double-double 38 points and 22 rebounds while Jaymar Perez and Glenn Khobuntin supplied 28 and 16 points, respectively.
Alston got his shots to go early in the game as the Dyip jumped to a 24-14 start.
The Aces mounted a huge run in the second to take a 45-39 edge but the Dyip countered with a rally for a 56-all halftime score.
Alston continued to bully his way against the Aces’ defense in the third for a 15 point edge. Alaska rallied to within 71-78. The Columbian, however, got hits from Perez for a 93-81 lead.
The Aces made its last push in the fourth period to come to as close as 101-107. But the Dyip was able to restore order with hits from Perez and Khobuntin for a 111-104 lead.
“We have a good import. ‘Yun ang wala namin before, a player who could go to the post, a passer, and a smart guy. Even though he is just 6-3, he plays like 6-10,” said Dyip head coach Johnedel Cardel.
Justin Watts finished with 40 points and 14 rebounds as Abu Tratter, Vic Manuel and Simon Enciso had 15, 14 and 11 points, respectively, for the Aces (0-1).
In the second game, NorthPort Batang Pier nearly wasted a lead as high as 24 points before escaping with a 99-94 victory over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
Leading by as much as 24 points in the third period, the Batang Pier was threatened by a huge rally by the Painters to cut the deficit to 94-97.
Two free throws by NorthPort’s Robert Bolick Jr sealed the win.
Mychal Ammons tallied double-double 25 points and 19 rebounds as Bolick added 20 markers for the Batang Pier. The Painters was led by Joel Wright’s 22 points and 19 boards./PN
