ALASKA uses team defense to limit the effectivity of GlobalPort scorer Stanley Pringle (right). AUGUST DELA CRUZ
Getting eight players to score in twin digits and gang-defending all game long, Alaska defanged GlobalPort with ease last night, 123-104, to reclaim a piece of the Smart Bro-PBA Philippine Cup lead at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
Cyrus Baguio scored 17 points, Vic Manuel added 16 and six others combined for another 75 as the Aces broke out of the gates hard and never let up to get back on the winning track and tie idle San Miguel Beer at 4-1.
The loss was the first in the last four games and just the second in five outings for the Batang Pier, who saw a franchise-best three-game winning streak come to a screeching halt despite getting 33 points from volume shooter Terrence Romeo.
NLEX also snapped Talk ‘N Text’s three-game winning run later in the night after scoring a 107-101 nipping of the Tropang Texters, as the Road Warriors, who also arrested a two-game slide, tied their victims at 3-2.
“I liked our pace, I liked how we shared the ball and I liked the way we defended as a team,” Alaska coach Alex Compton told reporters, though he acknowledged that Romeo and Stanley Pringle still got away with “superstar shots.”
“We need the team to stop them (Romeo and Pringle). They’re that good,” Compton said. “Those guys are special, they are really good. We didn’t give them easy shots, they made the tough ones, the superstar shots.”
Alaska’s attacking offense worked two ways for the Aces, as it got Pringle into foul trouble, which effectively slowed down last season’s top rookie in the second half.
“We attacked them, got fouls on them and that was a big part of the game,” Compton said. “A hydra has two heads, cut one off and you have a chance.”
The scores:
First Game
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
Second Game
NLEX 107—Anthony 32, Enciso 19, Taulava 18, Villanueva J. 10, Khobuntin 7, Camson 4, Reyes 4, Alas 3, Borboran 3, Lanete 3, Apinan 2, Cardona 2.
TALK ‘N TEXT 101—Rosario 20, Fonacier 18, Seigle 17, Castro 15, Tautuaa 11, Carey 6, Rosser 6, Reyes R. 6, Williams 2, Aban 0, Miranda 0, Reyes J. 0.
Quarters: 21-26, 44-49, 70-77, 107-101