Coach Alex Compton of Alaska. NUKI SABIO/PBA
MANILA, Philippines—Starting things off in a hotly-contested affair, the Alaska Aces trumped the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 87-80, during the first game of their best-of-seven series of the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals Thursday evening at the Mall of Asia Arena.
As a bonus in getting the first game, Alaska also snapped the seven-game win streak of Rain or Shine.
Alaska had to fight their way back from a 17-point hole in the second period when they fell 34-17 after letting Rain or Shine smother them in transition.
“I thought early on that Rain or Shine exerted their will on us,” Alaska head coach Alex Compton said. “We got a little frustrated, they made some shots, and our transition defense has been poor now in our two games against Rain or Shine. They had too many layups.”
Then midway through the third quarter, reserve player RJ Jazul played spark plug hitting two triples in a 10-0 run that saw Alaska take the lead 57-53.
It would take another Alaska rally late in the fourth before they sealed the first game.
Alaska, sensing that they have to capture Game One, staged a 12-0 late in the fourth with Calvin Abueva hitting six consecutive points to put the Aces up 85-77.
“I was really proud of our guys that they weathered the storm and at halftime, they chipped away,” Compton said. “We finally made some shots and put the frustration aside and just started playing.
Alaska had their pair of Aces with the tandem of JVee Casio and Sonny with 16 points apiece.
Thoss also bosses around the timbers grabbing nine rebounds in the process.
Abueva was once again on Beast mode with 14 points, 14 rebounds and five assists while Jazul sparked with 12 points.
Jeff Chan led the Painters with 17 points and six rebounds while Beau Belga had 11 points and 11 boards.
Box scores:
ALASKA 87- Casio 16, Thoss 16, Abueva 14, Jazul 12, Menk 8, Baguio 7, Exciminiano 6, Manuel 4, dela Cruz 3, Banchero 1, Hontiveros 0.
RAIN OR SHINE 80- Chan 17, Belga 11, Almazan 10, Araña 8, Lee 7, Tang 7, Uyloan, 6, Cruz 6, Norwood 6, Ibañes 2, Tiu 0, Quiñahan 0.
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