Aces end 3-game skid, beat Hotshots

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Alaska stopped a three-game slide after shutting down Star, 85-69, in the 2016 PBA Governors’ Cup Saturday night at Panabo Multi-Purpose Tourism, Sports&Cultural Center in Davao del Norte.

Import LaDontae Henton just missed a double-double with 27 points and nine rebounds to lead the Aces, who limited the Hotshots to score the fewest points this season since GlobalPort had the same total against a same opponent in the 2016 Philippine Cup semifinals.

“I think the big story was our second quarter defense. We gave up seven points. We talked a lot in leading up to this game and the biggest thing was 90% of what we talked about is having a defensive mindset,” said Alaska head coach Alex Compton, whose team held Star to only 31% from the field.

The Aces broke away from a three-point game with Henton contributing eight points in the last five minutes where they outscored the Hotshots, 19-6.

Henton also rejected four shots while Calvin Abueva had 10 points, 10 rebounds and four assists for Alaska’s second win in six outings.

Joel Wright tallied game-highs 30 points and 22 rebounds while RR Garcia added 15 points, but Star, which has now lost five straight, shot itself in the foot with 20 turnovers.