Nonoy Baclao TRISTAN TAMAYO/INQUIRER.net
It was a stellar flush as Alaska humiliated Star, 95-74, to take a 2-0 series lead in its PBA Governors’ Cup semifinals series Friday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Alaska got unexpected contributions from two unsung cards, Noy Baclao and Ping Exciminiano, who each had 10 points in the game.
Alaska outscored the Hotshots 72-51 in the final three quarters as the two “defense-first” players were put in the focal point of the Aces’ attack.
Aces head coach Alex Compton said his players “asserted” themselves in the second half where the Hotshots faltered in their Alaska defense.
“In the second half, our guys asserted themselves, that was tremendous,” Compton said. “I absolutely loved seeing Ping hitting those threes and Noy playing as an all-star.”
Baclao found himself in the middle of the Alaska offense late in the third quarter as he scored seven points in the Aces’ 10-1 run that put them ahead 71-58.
Alaska then closed out the Hotshots in the fourth with a devastating 13-2 sprint with Chris Banchero giving the Aces a 93-72 lead with less than a minute remaining.
Romeo Travis led Alaska with 19 points, 14 rebounds, and three steals while Calvin Abueva added 11 points and six rebounds.
Marqus Blakely was the high-point man for the Hotshots as he finished with 19 points, but he only got two in the last quarter.
Chris Banchero TRISTAN TAMAYO/INQUIRER.net