Alaska has strong start, rips Ginebra for 3-2 record

Alaska Aces guard Chris Banchero goes for a layup against Barangay Ginebra. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Alaska scored the game’s first seven points en route to a 104-78 whipping of Barangay Ginebra in the 2019 PBA Philippine Cup Sunday night at Ynares Center in Antipolo.

Guards Chris Banchero and Simon Enciso combined for 43 points, 10 rebounds and 13 assists to lead the Aces’ charge.

Alaska took control from the opening tip and turned the game into a one-sided affair as early as the second quarter where they took a 52-34 lead after a layup by Enciso heading into the break.

The Aces went on to lead by as much as 30, 95-65, after a 3-pointer by MJ Ayaay midway through the final period.

Enciso topscored with 23 points while Banchero collected 20 points, six rebounds and eight assists. Carl Cruz and Chris Exciminiano added 12 points each for Alaska, which climbed to third place with a 3-2 card.

The Aces shot 50 percent from the field including 13-of-30 from downtown while the Gin Kings had a hard time scoring, hitting just 36 percent of their attempts and making only 6-of-25 from long range.

Japeth Aguilar had 17 points and 11 rebounds for Ginebra, which absorbed its third loss in six outings.