Mahindra gets back on track, beats Alaska

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It may be the start of the Holy Week, but Aldrech Ramos isn’t taking any breaks.

Ramos came up big especially down the stretch and Mahindra repulsed Alaska, 102-94, to snap a three-game losing skid in the 2016 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Monday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Ramos came off the bench and fired 25 points all in the second half, including back-to-back triples that gave the Enforcers a 99-87 lead inside the final two minutes.

The sweet-shooting forward shot 11-of-15 from the field and grabbed seven rebounds.

“It’s a very important game for us coming from a three-game losing streak. We needed to bounce back and we needed this game because of the standings,” said Mahindra coach Chito Victolero. “We know we have a chance but we need to have that sense of urgency to play hard and win the game.”

Nino Canaleta added 17 markers, while Augustus Gilchrist got a near triple-double with 16 points, 15 boards, and seven assists.

Mahindra improved to 4-4 and stayed in the middle of the standings, while Alaska dropped to 5-3.

The Enforcers led by 11 at the top of the fourth quarter before the Aces cut the deficit to two, 82-80 after Calvin Abueva’s free throw with 7:23 remaining. Mahindra, however, fired a 17-7 tear capped off by the two Ramos treys to pull away for good.

Shane Edwards led the Aces with 24 points and 13 rebounds, while Calvin Abueva got 15 markers, 11 coming in the fourth, to go along with six boards, and four assists.

The scores:

MAHINDRA 102 – Ramos 25, Canaleta 17, Gilchrist 16, Dehesa 14, Revilla 10, Bagatsing 5, Ballesteros 5, Pinto 5, Guinto 3, De Vera 2, DiGregorio 0, Jaime 0, Yee 0.

ALASKA 94 – Edwards 24, Abueva 15, Manuel 12, Banchero 10, Jazul 10, Thoss 7, Baguio 6, Hontiveros 6, Dela Rosa 4, Exciminiano 0, Menk 0, Racal 0.

Quarters: 16-16, 43-39, 76-65, 102-94.