Alaska survives Kia scare to remain unbeaten

Calvin Abueva and Erik Menk of Alaska (light) vs Reil Cervantes and JR Buensuceso of KIA (dark). NUKI SABIO/PBA

MANILA, Philippines — Alaska needed to survive a surprisingly hard-fighting Kia side, 85-75, to remain unbeaten in the 2015 PBA Philippine Cup Tuesday at the Cuneta Astrodome.

It wasn’t a pretty win after the Aces blew a 15-point lead but nonetheless, they have now racked up their fifth win in as many games — matching their start in the 2012-2013 Commissioner’s Cup where they won the championship.

The Sorento moved to within four in three separate occasions in the fourth quarter before the Aces, behind their dynamic forward Calvin Abueva, went on an 8-0 finishing kick to stretch their lead back to 12, 85-73, on a basket by the former San Sebastian star with only 1:20 left.

“They almost gave me a heart attack. I felt that we did not matched their energy,” said Alaska head coach Alex Compton. “It was a bit of a scare. I’m glad to get out with a win.”

“It’s a good start and we’re happy with it. But the goal is to get better and win a championship,” Compton said of his team’s perfect record so far.

Playing with reckless abandon, Abueva notched 23 points and 20 rebounds.

The Aces missed the services of their starting center Sonny Thoss but Compton said they won’t make it as an excuse why the Sorento almost came away with the upset.

“Sonny had some pain on his foot on and off. We missed him but we just really believed we have 14 players who can play with in the system.”

Reil Cervantes led Kia with 18 points while Kyle Pascual had 10, eight coming in the fourth quarter.

The Sorento, who had been blown out in three of their previous four outings, suffered their fifth loss in six games.