Fiery Aces rip listless Kings

LA Tenorio of Barangay Ginebra (No. 5) works against the defense of Alaska’s JV Casio during last night’s Game 1 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup. AUGUST DELA CRUZ

Alaska couldn’t have started any better, Barangay Ginebra couldn’t have come out any worse and Game 1 of the much-hyped PBA Commissioner’s Cup title series ended emphatically in favor of the Aces at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

After choking the Gin Kings to an all-time Finals low six first quarter points last night, the Aces zoomed to leads of as many as 30 and had no trouble holding on for an 87-70 victory before a disappointed pro-Ginebra crowd of close to 20,000.

The Aces opened with 14 unanswered points and allowed the first Ginebra field goal only after the first 6:05 as Alaska turned what was tipped as a close opening game into its own party and will have clear momentum coming into tomorrow’s Game 2.

“Six points (for Ginebra) in the first quarter, that’s our identity: Defense,” Alaska coach Luigi Trillo told reporters. “When we get a lead, we understand the situation. It’s going to be physical, borderline hurt.

“Our guys have to understand that they are going to get hit. It’s the Finals, so they know that.”

RJ Jazul came off the bench to hit 16 points built around a 4-of-7 clip from beyond the arc, and Robert Dozier dominated with 14 points, 22 rebounds, two steals and three blocks.

“We took away their strengths,” Trillo continued as Ginebra got close to nothing from the veterans that helped take the Gin Kings this far.

Kerby Raymundo and Jay-Jay Helterbrand struggled big time, combining for just 16 points, and Josh Urbiztondo was good for just four markers in 25 minutes as the Ginebra bench couldn’t keep up with the production of its Alaska counterparts.

Alaska took away Ginebra’s biggest strength, the 6-foot-11 Vernon Macklin, whom the Aces held to just 16 points and 14 rebounds.

LA Tenorio was also starved to near-submission by the Alaska defense, as he missed his first eight tries from the field. The 5-foot-8 guard’s first basket came at the final 2:49 mark of the second period, but by then, Alaska was way ahead.

“LA will come out more aggressive and try to take over the game. He tried to pick up the tempo in the second half. We need to keep playing with our identity,” Trillo said.

The scores:

ALASKA 87—Jazul 16, Dozier 14, Thoss 12, Abueva 10, Casio 10, Baguio 10, Espinas 9, Dela Cruz 4, Hontiveros 2, Belasco 0.

GINEBRA 70—Macklin 16, Tenorio 14, Raymundo 9, Helterbrand 7, Espiritu 6, Labagala 4, Urbiztondo 4, Maierhofer 4, Mamaril 2, Caguioa 2, Ellis 1, Baracael 1, Wilson 0, Hatfield 0.

Quarters: 28-6, 46-24, 67-48, 87-70