Alaska wins but Petron’s Balkman steals limelight as he chokes teammate

CROSS LEGS Rob Dozier of Alaska and Arwind Santos of petron seem to have their legs crossed during their game Friday night which the Aces won. PBA PHOTO/NUKI SABIO

MANILA, Philippines — Alaska got back into winning track, derailing Petron, 83-73, on Friday night in the 2013 PBA Commissioner’s Cup but the Boosters’ import Renaldo Balkman stole the limelight.

It was not by dominating like he usually does as he only finished with six points — but by taking his frustrations out on his teammates.

With 21.6 seconds left, Balkman was complaining profusely to the referees about a non call when his teammates came running to pacify the exasperated import.

In an shocking move, Balkman pushed aside one of his coaches as he continued complaining to the referee, shoved Ronald Tubid and Arwind Santos and then eventually putting his hand around Santos’ neck.

Those gestures only compounded Petron’s woes that night as it dropped to 5-2 and to third  place behind Alaska, which improved to 6-1, and Rain or Shine.

The Aces drew clutch baskets from Cyrus Baguio in the final 1:20 of the game to put the Boosters away for good.

Robert Dozier led Alaska with 18 points, 26 rebounds, two assists and five blocks while managing to successfully check Balkman, who averages over 28 points a game.

“I’m proud of Dozier, he played physical with him,” said coach Luigi Trillo. “I don’t know if every day you could stop Balkman.”