Alaska has always put much of its emphasis on defense.
And for the final seven minutes of the payoff period, the Aces did just that and th clamping down on Meralco for an 89-75 win Tuesday in the 2015 PBA Governors’ Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“Our guys are just flying out there defensively. I really don’t really recall any game that Meralco has been outworked, but our guys responded and they committed to help each other,” said coach Alex Compton.
The dreaded Alaska defense went to work and locked up in the payoff period, as the Aces went on to finish the game on an 18-3 tear.
Romeo Travis paced the Aces with 24 points, 18 rebounds, four assists, and two blocks to lead his team to the victory.
JVee Casio also added 11 markers, while Chris Banchero finished with 10.
The win allowed Alaska to snatch its sixth win in eight outings, good enough to pull itself on a tie with San Miguel at the second spot at 6-2.
Meralco, meanwhile, fell to a deadlock with GlobalPort at 4-4 as the Bolts saw their two-game winning streak snapped.
Andre Emmett poured in 28 points and hauled down 10 boards in the defeat, while Cliff Hodge helped his cause with 12 markers and eight rebounds for Meralco.
Romeo Travis. PBA IMAGES
The Scores:
ALASKA 89 – Travis 24, Casio 11, Banchero 10, Abueva 8, Hontiveros 8, Manuel 6, Thoss 6, Jazul 6, Dela Rosa 4, Exciminiano 4, Menk 2, Dela Cruz 0.
MERALCO 75 – Emmett 28, Hodge 12, Ando 11, David 10, Nabong 7, Anthony 5, Ildefonso 2, Dillinger 0, Atkins 0, Cortez 0, Hugnatan 0.
Quarters: 21-12, 42-35, 67-65, 89-75.