Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Alaska quickly raced to a commanding lead to rip TNT apart, 125-96, for its second straight win in the PBA Governors’ Cup Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Simon Enciso lit the Aces’ flame as early as the first half scorching the sorry KaTropa for 22 points, all seven of his field goals coming from deep, and lead Alaska with a 68-39 lead at the break.
It wasn’t just Enciso who did damage for the Aces as Chris Banchero and import Mike Harris already put up complete games in the first two quarters alone.
Harris was spectacular in the first 24 minutes with 10 points and 19 rebounds while Banchero had 10 points and nine assists at the break.
“Mike was the catalyst of the defense, Chris was finding everybody, Simon was making shots and was absolutely on fire and that was the biggest thing,” said Alaska head coach Alex Compton.
“I’m really happy for Simon and I was really impressed with Chris with nine assists in the first half.”
Alaska wasn’t just shooting the lights out against the hapless KaTropa, but the Aces were also a solid bunch underneath outrebounding TNT 63-51.
The Aces also held the KaTropa to just a 33.7 percent clip from the field, 29-of-86, while making 51 of their 101 attempts.
Enciso slowed down in the second half but still finished with 30 points on 9-of-12 from deep while Harris had 16 points and 24 rebounds.
Banchero was still an orchestrator in the last two quarters with 15 points and 14 assists.
Stacy Davis 26 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists to lead TNT while Troy Rosario had 16 points and 11 boards.
As Alaska rose through the ranks with a 2-0 record to top the standings, the KaTropa fell to a sorry 1-3 card.