Alaska holds off Meralco to open PBA Governors’ Cup bid

Alaska is off to a positive start in the conference after turning back two-time finalist Meralco, 80-72, in the PBA Governors’ Cup Friday at Mall of Asia Arena.

The Aces used a strong third quarter to take control of the game, outscoring the Bolts 28-10 to head to the fourth quarter with a 61-50 lead.

Alaska head coach Alex Compton said it wasn’t their offense that changed gears in the third quarter, rather it was defense and hustle that helped the Aces overcome the Bolts after the halftime break.

“They [the Bolts] were quicker to the ball which is not acceptable but then for us there was some of that first game excitement,” said Compton. “It happens to players, they’re so excited to help the team that they’re not actually executing.”

“There were forced shots, extra passes that shouldn’t have been made so in the second half we moved the ball better and that ended up being points for us. I was happy.”

The Aces managed to outrebound the Bolts 8-4 in the offensive glass while also coming away with more steals, 6-2.

Chris Banchero managed to give Alaska a 15-point lead, 75-60, at the 5:19 mark of the fourth quarter but the Bolts were able to trim the margin to just five, 75-70, after Baser Amer capped off a 10-0 run with a couple of free throws with 1:30 left.

Mike Harris, though, stopped the Bolts’ advances with a pull-up three-pointer with 23 seconds left in the game for Alaska’s 78-70 lead.

Harris finished with 23 points and 15 rebounds to lead Alaska while Banchero had 13 points, six rebounds, and five assists.

Allen Durham led the Bolts with 21 points and 11 boards.