Aces snap Kings’ streak

PHOENIX star RR Garcia helps his team get off to a solid start against Mahindra. AUGUST DELA CRUZ

SHANE Edwards came up with another solid performance for Alaska as the Aces rolled to their fourth straight victory, 86-80, over Barangay Ginebra last night in the Oppo PBA Commissioner’s Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The 6-foot-7 forward, who played briefly for the Cleveland Cavaliers, flew in as a replacement for Rob Dozier, a former best import who is out with an injured foot.

Edwards shot 25 points to help the Aces keep the longest streak in the conference going and move up to solo second at 4-1, just half a game behind Meralco (5-1).

The crowd-favorite Kings saw their three-game streak come to an end and tied Mahindra, which lost in the first game, and Blackwater in the middle of the pack.

Kevinn Pinkney, whose Herculean efforts have been negated by a lack of local support, finally got help from his teammates in Phoenix Petroleum’s 114-99 rout of the Enforcers.

RR Garcia, who fueled Phoenix’s early run, Willy Wilson, Mick Pennisi and JC Intal all chipped in to end the team’s slide.

Pinkney finished with 23 points and nine rebounds capped by a three in the closing seconds as the Fuel Masters snapped a three-game slide.

“Our players were challenged when they saw that we’re at the cellar and I’m glad everybody responded,” said Phoenix coach Koy Banal after picking up a second win in five outings.

Wilson finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds, Garcia had 22 points, including four threes, while Intal scored 16. Pennisi added 10 points.

The scores:

First Game

PHOENIX 114—Pinkney 23, Garcia 22, Wilson 21, Intal 16, Pennisi 10, Urbictondo 7, Brondial 5, Lanete 5, Monfort 5, Baracael 0.

MAHINDRA 99—Gilchrist 21, Canaleta 18, Dehesa 14, Digregorio 8, Pascual 8, Ramos 7, Yee 7, Pinto 6, Jaime 4, Revilla 4, Guinto 2, Hubalde 0, Webb 0, Alvarez 0.

Quarters: 34-23, 61-47, 92-72, 114-99

Second Game

ALASKA 86—Edwards 25, Abueva 17, Jazul 16, Thoss 10, Baguio 7, Manuel 5, Banchero 2, Exciminiano 2, Hontiveros 2, Casio 0, Dela Rosa 0, Eman 0, Menk 0.

GINEBRA 80—Slaughter 28, Jeffers 21, Aguilar 10, Devance 10, Tenorio 4, Ellis 3, Cruz 2, Thompson 2, Caguioa 0, Helterbrand 0, Marcelo 0, Mercado 0.

Quarters: 20-25, 42-39, 67-62, 86-80