Alaska’s Dozier makes conference debut vs NLEX

Rob Dozier of Alaska makes it hard for Al Thornton of NLEX to inbound the ball in the first quarter of their game in the 2016 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Friday at Smart Araneta Coliseum. Mark Giongco/INQUIRER.net

Rob Dozier made his 2016 Commissioner’s Cup debut on Friday as Alaska took on NLEX in the penultimate game of the elimination round.

Dozier, the former Best Import three years ago in the same conference when the Aces won the championship, missed the first 10 games of the conference due to plantar fasciitis.

The 30-year-old Dozier wasted little time in putting his name on the scoreboard — sinking a jumper from mid-range over NLEX import Al Thornton in his first attempt –just 15 seconds into the game.

Shane Edwards played nine games as a temporary replacement while Dozier was still recovering. The Aces won their first five stints with Edwards before dropping three of their last four games.

As of posting, Alaska is leading, 51-45, at the half. Dozier has eight points, six rebounds and one block in 11 minutes and 32 seconds of action in the first two quarters.