Photo by tristan tamayo/INQUIRER
Alaska remained in the hunt for a playoff spot in the PBA Governors’ Cup after taking down Globalport, 101-88, Friday at Mall of Asia Arena.
The Aces, who lost the first six games of the conference, won its second straight to improve to 2-6 and climbed to the 10th spot while the Batang Pier slipped to 3-5.
A strong fourth quarter push propelled Alaska over the Batang Pier with Calvin Abueva and Noy Baclao scoring all of their combined 20 points in the period as the Aces outscored Globalport, 34-21, in the final 12 minutes.
“I’m happy to see these guys put together another win,” said Aces head coach Alex Compton in Filipino. “Because during our 14-game losing streak there were times when we were ahead then the other team will catch up and now instead of folding we bounced back and that’s the thing I’ve been waiting to see.”
Alaska was in the worst period of its storied history when it lost 14 straight games dating back to the Commissioner’s Cup before the Aces broke the curse in Pampanga beating San Miguel, 90-79.
LeDontae Henton put up a massive double-double of 31 points and 21 rebounds to lead Alaska while Calvin Abueva finished with 12 points and five boards.
Murphey Holloway had 25 points to lead the Batang Pier with 25 points and nine rebounds.
Globalport point guard Stanley Pringle was absent from the game as he went back to the United States to mourn the passing of his father.