Alaska import LaDontae Henton dunks during the Aces’ overtime win over the Barangay Ginebra Kings Sunday night. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
After failing to lead Alaska in its opener against Meralco last Sunday, LaDontae Henton was motivated to prove that the Aces didn’t make the wrong choice on entrusting him the reins of the team in the 2016 PBA Governors’ Cup.
And the next time he got a chance, he truly showed his worth.
The 24-year-old forward led the Aces to a 109-100 victory over Ginebra in overtime on Sunday as he led his squad with 29 points, nine rebounds, and zero turnovers.
“Knowing we lost our first one, I came here to help this team win and I wasn’t able to do that. I came in and tried to be more focused, did everything I could for my team to win,” he said.
Also pushing him was the raucous 11,565 crowd attendance which was treated to a pair of classic games inside the Big Dome.
“It was great. I love the atmosphere. The college atmosphere in America is really great so I love playing in an atmosphere like that. I wish it’s like that every game,” he said.
Henton, though, made it clear that the huge victory was a statement game of sorts as he slowly gets in the groove of the Aces’ system.
“It takes some adjustment, but I’m learning quickly and we watch film together all the time. Coach Alex is a great guy to learn from. He’s easy going and hard nosed coach,” he said. “Ginebra was a great team and it was competitive. It was a hard fought game and I’m glad we pulled it out.”
Alaska faces TNT next this Friday.