Alaska improves to 4-0 as Ginebra stays winless

MANILA, Philippines – Keeping a safe distance in the fourth quarter, Alaska came away unscathed along with an 84-69 win over Ginebra Saturday night in the 2013 PBA Commissioner’s Cup road game in Tubod, Lanao Del Norte.

The Aces continued their fierce start to the conference with a 4-0 card, while the Kings suffered a contrasting fate as they drop to 0-4.

Coach Luigi Trillo, though, gave Ginebra credit for hanging tough down the stretch.

“They battled really hard, they didn’t want to give in and we only came down with the lead in the stretch,” said Trillo in a statement provided by the PBA.

While the Kings bothered the Aces in the payoff period, Alaska never allowed Ginebra nearer than eight points.

Robert Dozier had 21 points, while Sonny Thoss continued to be a threat inside the paint and in the perimeter with 16 points and five rebounds.

Aside from providing the buckets, Dozier also did a commendable job countering whatever the debuting Vernon Macklin had to offer for Ginebra.

In one stretch, Macklin went high for a monster jam, which could’ve sparked the Kings, but Dozier countered with an emphatic two-handed slam of his own in the ensuing play.

“Their import seems a bit tired. We did a good job of making things hard for him, it was great collective defensive effort for us,” said Trillo.

Macklin, who replaced Herbert Hill, finished with 16 points while Mark Caguioa topscored with 20.

Even with a great edge in offensive rebounding (26-11), costly unforced turnovers doomed Ginebra further in the homestretch.

The scores:

ALASKA 84 – Dozier 21, Thoss 16, Espinas 10, Jazul 9, Hontiveros 8, Baguio 8, Abueva 6, Casio 4, Dela Cruz 2, Reyes 0.

GINEBRA 69 – Caguioa 20, Macklin 16, Tenorio 8, Ellis 7, Raymundo 6, Mamaril 4, Helterbrand 4, Hatfield 2, Labagala 2, Taha 0, Labagala 0, Baracael 0, Jensen 0.

Quarters: 23-17, 43-39, 61-54, 84-69