Several players stepped up for the Aces in the payoff frame, with the 5-foot-8 LA Tenorio the biggest after shooting all but four of his 16 points, most of them baskets that came at the most crucial times as Alaska finally broke into the win column at 1-1.
Tenorio converted on a driving right-handed layup with 10:30 remaining which gave the Aces a 74-73 lead, and Alaska hung tough from there to quell numerous Derby Ace rallies until the final horn.
Rookies Sean Anthony and Jai Reyes were big for Powerade earlier in the night, and the oft-maligned Tigers snapped out of their own rut after a 109-91 victory over listless Air21 that kept the Express as the only winless team in the tournament.
Jason Forte continued his marked improvement for the Aces, shooting a PBA career-best 29 points that went with 12 rebounds and four assists while also putting the cuffs on ex-Alaska standout Joe Devance.
The Llamados also fell to 1-2 and last night’s game could be the last for import Stephon Hannah, who finished with 18 points. A certain Myron Allen is reportedly on the way to the country as Hannah’s replacement.
Sonny Thoss had 20 points and 10 boards while Cyrus Baguio and Mark Borboran combined for another 21 points to complete a balanced attack.
James Yap, the reigning MVP, tossed in 28 points for the Llamados.
Anthony scored 13 points and Reyes, the second-to-the-last player selected in the last Draft, had 11 of his career-high 14 in the fourth quarter as the Tigers held off the Express to rise to 1-2 and keep the Express winless in three outings and in the cellar.
The scores:
First Game
POWERADE 109—Porter 22, Anthony 21, Cruz 18, Reyes J. 14, Gonzales 14, Rizada 4, Macapagal 4, Reyes R. 3, Allera 2, Lanete 2, Espino 2, Antonio 2, Quinahan 1.
AIR21 91—Seigle 23, Hontiveros 13, Bangura 10, Canaleta 8, Salvador 7, Avenido 7, Arboleda 5, Espiritu 4, Najorda 4, Sharma 4, Artadi 4, Cabahug 2, Urbiztondo 0.
Quarters: 20-28, 52-47, 73-68, 109-91
Second Game
ALASKA 107—Forte 29, Thoss 20, Tenorio 16, Baguio 11, Borboran 10, Custodio 6, Reyes 5, Gonzales 3, Cablay 3, Thiele 2, Eman 2, Dela Cruz 0.
DERBY ACE 102—Yap J. 28, Hannah 18, Simon 17, Devance 10, Pingris 9, Allado 9, Villanueva 5, Yap R. 4, Gaco 2, Fernandez 0.
Quarters: 23-23, 46-53, 72-75, 107-102