Alaska Aces vs GlobalPort Batang Pier. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
True to its mantra, Alaska proved that there is no “I” in team.
The Aces demonstrated total team effort in dismantling GlobalPort, 123-104, Friday in the 2016 Smart Bro PBA Philippine Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
With eight players scoring in double-digits, Alaska easily snapped the Batang Pier’s three-game winning streak and grabbed a share of the top spot with San Miguel at 4-1 in the wire-to-wire victory.
Cyrus Baguio led the mob with 17 points while Vic Manuel got 16 markers, eight rebounds, and three steals. RJ Jazul, Chris Banchero, and Sonny Thoss all had 14 points.
Alaska broke out of the gates early, erecting a 16-point lead in the first quarter, 30-14. GlobalPort climbed back and got to as close as six, 67-61 with 8:02 left in the third quarter, but the Aces proved too much as Baguio and Manuel led the breakaway for a lead as high as 22, 118-96.
Terrence Romeo finished with 33 points, five assists, and three rebounds for the Batang Pier.
Backcourt mate Stanley Pringle played through foul trouble all game long but was still able to contribute 16 markers, seven rebounds, and two assists, as GlobalPort fell to a 3-2 record.
“When you cut off one of the heads of a Hydra, you have a better chance of winning. Getting Stanley in foul trouble was intentional and it worked today,” said Compton.
The Scores
ALASKA 123 – Baguio 17, Manuel 16, Banchero 14, Jazul 14, Thoss 14, Menk 12, Abueva 11, Casio 10, Baclao 4, Dela Rosa 4, Hontiveros 4, Dela Cruz 3, Exciminiano 0, Racal 0.
GLOBALPORT 104 – Romeo 33, Pringle 16, Mamaril 13, Kramer 11, Maierhofer 10, Uyloan 6, Washington 6, Yeo 5, Jensen 2, Sumang 2, Paniamogan 0, Taha 0.
Quarters: 34-25, 60-50, 94-78, 123-104.