Aces, Batang Pier in big PBA debuts

FORMER LeBron James teammate Travis Romeo of Alaska tries to put up a shot off Blackwater’s Bryan Faundo and Eddie Laure. AUGUST DELA CRUZ

Travis Romeo scored 18 points and grabbed 12 rebounds while playing limited minutes as Alaska used a balanced offensive to whip Blackwater, 106-80, Tuesday night at the start of the PBA Governors’ Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Starting point guard JV Casio tossed in 13 like reliever Chris Banchero for the Aces, who got off to a rip-roaring start this time.

Marcus Douthit fired 28 points and plucked down 16 boards for the Elite.

Globalport, getting 27 points, seven rebounds and five assists from Terrence Romeo, also opened up strong, scoring a 92-73 victory over Meralco in the nightcap.

It was the first time in three years in the league that the Batang Pier won their conference-opening game even if Meralco got 41 points from NBA veteran Andre Emmet.

After dragging San Miguel Beer into the rubber match for the Philippine Cup earlier in the year, the Aces started out flat in the Commissioner’s Cup and eventually bowed out of the quarterfinals.

A teammate of NBA superstar LeBron James in high school, Romeo saw action for just 28 minutes but made 7-of-11 field goal tries while posting two assists, two steals and one block against just one turnover.

“He’s solid, he’s smart,” Alaska coach Alex Compton said of his import.

First Game

ALASKA 106—Travis 18, Casio 13, Banchero 13, Baguio 12, Abueva 9, Jazul 7, Manuel 6, Dela Rosa 6, Exciminiano 6, Menk 6, Thoss 4, Baclao 2, Hontiveros 2, Eman 2, Dela Cruz 0.

BLACKWATER 80—Douthit 28, Gamalinda 10, Salvacion 9, Cervantes 7, Bulawan 5, Timberlake 4, Reyes 4, Erram 4, Heruela 4, Acuna 3, Faundo 2, Celiz 0, Laure 0.

Quarters: 26-17, 55-41, 85-58, 106-80

Second Game

GLOBALPORT 92—Romeo 27, Krayem 18, O’Bryant 15, Buenafe 10, Jensen 10, Miranda 5, Isip 4, Taha 3, Mamaril 0, Ponferada 0, Kramer 0.

MERALCO 73—Emmett 41, Hugnatan 7, Wilson 5, David 5, Hodge 4, Ferriols 4, Cortez 3, Anthony 2, Sena 2, Ildefonso 0, Caram 0, Guevarra 0, Macapagal 0.

Quarters: 21-19, 45-34, 69-57, 92-73