Return of the Aces
Coach Alex Compton of Alaska. FILE PHOTO
Finally getting some of his stars back, Alaska coach Alex Compton was glad to get a first win in the PBA Philippine Cup and look forward to brighter things for the rest of the tournament.
Calvin Abueva returned from a two-game absence with aplomb, shooting 22 points and grabbing 11 rebounds, and JV Casio also hit a lot of big shots in the crunch to key a 95-84 come-from-behind win over erstwhile unbeaten GlobalPort in the season-opening conference at Mall of Asia Arena last night.
“Nice to get a win, that’s for sure,” Compton said after a 33-point fourth quarter helped the Aces snap a two-game slide while dealing the Batang Pier their first defeat in three outings. “It’s just great to have those guys back.”
Star recovered from a slow start to also notch a first win, a 99-75 ripping of NLEX in the nightcap.
Paul Lee, now the Hotshots’ cornerstone, scattered 20 points to lead five others in twin digits as Star tied its victim at 1-2.
Vic Manuel and Ping Exciminiano returned from team-imposed suspensions and combined for another 15 points with RJ Jazul and JP Mendoza shooting nine each in a balanced offensive effort that helped the Aces offset another sterling 1-2 job by Terrence Romeo and Stanley Pringle for Batang Pier.
“They’re the most dangerous 1-2 punch in the league in terms of scoring,” Compton said of Romeo and Pringle, who tossed in more than half of the GlobalPort output—49, the duo’s highest in three games.
“The one thing I like about our team is our resolve,” Compton said as his Aces clawed back from a 16-point hole late in the third period before stepping on the gas in the fourth courtesy of Abueva and Casio, who combined for 25 of those 33 points.
“Nothing is easy in the PBA today, but like I said, I love that my players just keep going,” said Compton. “And we can use that character when we go deeper in the eliminations and in the playoffs.”
GAME 1: ALASKA 95-GLOBALPORT 84
ALASKA 95—Abueva 22, Casio 15, Manuel 10, Jazul 9, Mendoza 9, Dela Cruz 6, Hontiveros 6, Cruz 6, Exciminiano 5, Racal 3, Banchero 2, Magat 2.
GLOBALPORT 84—Romeo 26, Pringle 23, Quiñahan 15, Semerad 8, Canaleta 3, Pennisi 3, Aban 2, Maierhofer 2, Paredes 2, Cortez 0, Dehesa 0, Mamaril 0, Pessumal 0.
Quarters: 21-20, 35-40, 62-65, 95-84
GAME 2: STAR 99-NLEX 75
STAR 99—Lee 20, Jalalon 17, Maliksi 15, Sangalang 13, Ramos 13, Barroca 10, Pingris 6, Simon 2, Melton 2, Abundo 1, Javier 0, De Leon 0.
NLEX 75—Lastimosa 11, J. Villanueva 11, Alas 10, Lanete 10, Anthony 7, Soyud 7, Khobuntin 5, Guinto 4, Baracael 4, Taulava 2, Monfort 2, Camson 2, Gotladera 0.
Quarters: 20-23, 42-39, 71-57, 99-75
