ALASKA’S Calvin Abueva tries to be an effective roadblock to NLEX’s Al Thornton. PBA IMAGE
In a match that saw two imports come up with redeeming performances, DJ Covington drained 24 points and led Alaska to a first win in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup eliminations with a nail-biting 96-95 decision over NLEX yesterday at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
Covington, the former VMI Keydet in the Big East in the US, was far more impressive than in his debut, hitting two charities with under 1:53 left before helping Alaska hold off the Road Warriors to rise to 1-1 overall.
The Road Warriors also got a far better offensive effort from NBA veteran Al Thornton, who finished with 39 points. But he failed to save NLEX from a second straight loss when he lost his footing while going for the potential game-winning drive at the buzzer.
Vic Manuel scattered 16 points before being helped off the floor with three minutes to go after hyper-extending his left knee trying to stop Thornton, who made two free throws from that play to make it 87-89.
Alaska, which played without starting center Sonny Thoss and prime point guard JV Casio for the second straight game, led by as many as 13 points, 69-56 after an RJ Jazul triple late in the third.
But the Road Warriors worked their way back into the game, using KG Canaleta’s hot three-point shooting and Thornton’s inspired offensive game.
Meanwhile, Barako Bull guns for a share of the early lead today when the Energy slug it out with newcomer KIA Motors at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Energy and the Carnival take the floor at 3 p.m. with Barako Bull shooting for No. 3 before crowd-darling Barangay Ginebra battles reigning Philippine Cup champion San Miguel in the 5:15 p.m. contest.
KIA will be coming off just the second victory of its franchise, an 88-78 win over the Beermen last week that now stands as the upset of the season.
PJ Ramos, the 7-foot-3 Puerto Rican behemoth, will again lead the Carnival against Sol Alabi and the Energy, who are off to one of their finest starts in years.
The scores:
ALASKA 96—Covington 24, Manuel 16, Baguio 14, Jazul 12, Banchero 7, Abueva 6, Menk 6, Dela Cruz 5, Exciminiano 2, Hontiveros 2, Espinas 2, Eman 0, Dela Rosa 0, Vanlandingham 0.
NLEX 95—Thornton 39, Canaleta 16, Ramos 9, J. Villanueva 8, Lingganay 6, Taulava 5, Cardona 4, Hermida 2, Camson 0, H. Arboleda 0, Apianan 0, W. W. Arboleda 0, Baloria 0, Soyud 0.
Quarters: 22-16, 46-40, 75-73, 96-95