Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Alaska extended its winning streak to six games after outlasting Magnolia, 103-99, in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Vic Manuel finished with a game-high 35 points for Alaska, which tied idle TNT KaTropa for second place at 6-1 and assured its spot in the eight-team quarterfinal round.
Import Antonio Campbell had 28 points and 15 boards.
The Hotshots, despite 21 points apiece from Paul Lee and new import Justin Jackson, absorbed a third consecutive loss and slid to 3-4, the same record of the GlobalPort Batang Pier.
At halftime, Alaska team owner Fred Uytengsu led the retirement ceremony for the No. 35 jersey of Tony dela Cruz, one of its assistant coaches.
The Filipino-American who suited up for the Aces from 2005 to 2017 was the eighth player in Alaska history to be bestowed with such honor, after Johnny Abarrientos, Bong Hawkins, Jojo Lastimosa, import Sean Chambers, Jeff Cariaso, Eric Menk and three-time league Most Valuable Player Bogs Adornado.
In the first game, Columbian Dyip gave import John Fields ample support as they downed the Phoenix Fuel Masters, 115-107.
Rashawn McCarthy and Jerramy King ran Columbian’s fluid offense while Ronald Tubid, Eric Camson and Glenn Khobuntin also stepped up as the Dyip snapped a three-game skid to get back in playoff contention.
The Dyip are clinging on to a 4-5 record and must hurdle their last two assignments against Barangay Ginebra and GlobalPort for a chance to seal a quarterfinal spot.
The Fuel Masters dropped to 3-5 after their third straight defeat.
“I like the way we defended, that has been my focus after the all-star break,” said Columbian coach Ricky Dandan.
First Game
COLUMBIAN 115—Fields 29, Khobuntin 18, King 15, McCarthy 15, Camson 13, Tubid 10, Escoto 6, Ababou 3, Sara 2, Cahilig 2, Corpuz 2, Celda 0.
PHOENIX 107—Phelps 34, Wright 32, Perkins 14, Revilla 5, Intal 5, Wilson 5, Chan 4, Mendoza 2, Kramer 2, Chua 2, Jazul 2, Gamboa 0, Dehesa 0.
Quarters: 17-29, 44-48, 73-75, 115-107