Wendell McKines of Alaska (light) vs Sean Anthony of Talk N Text (dark).
MANILA, Philippines – Alaska came out firing in the third quarter en route to a 112-104 tripping of Talk N’ Text on Friday in the 2013 PBA Governors’ Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Aces fired 38 points in the third period alone, which allowed them to finally push the lead to double-digits against the Texters.
“The past three games we’ve been giving away 33 points [in that quarter]. We had to address that and they probably said enough is enough,” said head coach Luigi Trillo. “They came out with a sense of urgency to win that quarter.”
Two freethrows from Tony Dela Cruz then gave Alaska a 95-82 edge early in the payoff period, although the Texters came roaring back to within four, 97-101.
But the Aces finished the frustrated Texters off with an 11-5 blast to score their third victory in five matches.
The Aces’ hardworking import Wendell McKines unleashed 38 points along with 16 rebounds while Sonny Thoss and Cyrus Baguio combined for 31.
“I thought we got Wendell on his comfort zone. He played with more energy today. We were looking for him and that’s how you get it done,” Trillo said.
Even with the return of skipper Jimmy Alapag, the last of the national team members to come back to the line-up after Fiba Asia, Tony Mitchell’s 30-point effort, along with Ranidel De Ocampo’s 17 and Jayson Castro’s 15, the Texters still fell to 2-3.