Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
LaDontae Henton caught fire early and Alaska cruised to an easy 107-87 win over Blackwater Sunday in the 2016 PBA Governors’ Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The 24-year-old import sustained his hot streak and fired 13 of his 33 points in the second period to allow the Aces to break away, 52-34 late in the first half. He also finished with eight rebounds and three assists.
Kevin Racal got 12 markers and three boards off the bench, while Ping Exciminiano had 11 points. Chris Banchero added eight markers, 12 assists, and six boards in the victory as Alaska took advantage of the Elite missing import Eric Dawson for the second straight game.
“Obviously, malaking bagay wala si Dawson. He was a big part of our game plan and I heard from people, narinig ko nga na hindi sya maglalaro,” said Alaska coach Alex Compton. “We were handed a huge advantage and it was a nice time for us to get a break.”
Compton had such relief for the game that he inserted his third stringers as early as the 9:08 mark of the payoff period.
The Alaska coach, though, isn’t looking at this win as a huge morale booster.
“We just lost to a San Miguel team that didn’t have an import,” Compton rued, looking back on the Aces’ 106-103 defeat to the Beermen last Wednesday. “We won tonight against Blackwater that didn’t have an import. So I don’t know what you make out of it.”
“We didn’t play fantastic, but we played solid and we had an import.”
Alaska stayed in the playoff race with a 3-5 card, while putting Blackwater on the brink of elimination at 1-7.
“It was nice to get back to the win column. We’re not used on being where we are right now. Its a new perspective for us,” said Compton. “It was a win we needed. This was crucial for us. We’ll keep fighting.”
Art dela Cruz could not sustain his 12-point first quarter and wound up with 23 points to pace the Elite.
Carlo Lastimosa also took advantage of the extended garbage time, pouring 16 of his 18 markers in the fourth frame, while Bambam Gamalinda and Jason Melano both got 10 as Blackwater fell to its sixth straight defeat.
The scores:
ALASKA 107 – Henton 33, Racal 12, Exciminiano 11, Banchero 8, Abueva 7, Baclao 7, Thoss 6, Jazul 5, Casio 4, Dela Cruz 4, Dela Rosa 4, Mendoza 4, Hontiveros 2, Magat 0, Menk 0.
BLACKWATER 87 – Dela Cruz 23, Lastimosa 18, Gamalinda 10, Melano 10, Miranda 6, Reyes 5, Sena 4, Tiongson 3, Golla 2, Pascual 2, Qahwash 2, Sumang 2.
Quarters: 25-20, 54-36, 82-54, 107-87.