Alaska, Barako Bull draw first blood
TERRENCE Williams of Meralco tries to get out of the double-team of JC Intal (left) and John Wilson of Barako in last night’s match at Smart Araneta Coliseum. AUGUST DELA CRUZ
MANILA, Philippines — Alaska bucked a 42-point explosion from import Reggie Williams as the Aces downed the San Miguel Beermen, 94-87, Sunday at the start of the PBA PLDT Telpad Governors’ Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Williams, who briefly played for the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA, hit seven three-pointers on 14 of 23 shooting but the Aces held the Beermen scoreless in the final 4:44 while Sonny Thoss, Calvin Abueva and Cyrus Baguio combined on the offensive end from an 87-87 deadlock.
Eric Wise, the first second generation import to see action in the league, bailed out Barako Bull and new coach Siot Tanquingcen with a free throw that completed a scrambling 95-94 decision over Meralco earlier.
Wise fetched a foul from Terrence Williams with 1.3 seconds left and cleverly split his free throws to seal the win for the Energy, who lost a 21-point 46-25 halftime lead and even trailed by 11 in the last quarter before regaining the upper hand mainly through rookies Jeric Fortuna and Carlo Lastimosa.
“The last play was really intended for him (Wise). He’s not the most flashy and he might not have the best credentials (among the imports), but he’s effective,” said Tanquingcen, who left the San Miguel franchise, where he picked up three titles, to replace Bong Ramos as coach before the tournament started.
Chalking up double-double figures in the first half, Wise finished with 33 points, 16 rebounds and six assists in 41 minutes.
His father, Francois, played for five seasons in the league and averaged 36 points, 15 points and five assists in 75 games.
Henry Walker, an NBA veteran who played in Boston and New York, had 27 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists for Alaska but suffered from cramps late in the game.
Thoss took up the cudgels and finished with 18 points and nine rebounds.
“Sonny played his heart out and was a steady presence throughout,” said Alaska coach Luigi Trillo.
The Bolts buried six three-pointers in the third with Williams, Sunday Salvacion, Gary David and Cliff Hodge sinking their shots from way out.
When the Bolts were done firing, they were already up by 86-75 but the Energy slowly came back behind Fortuna, Lastimosa and JC Intal. Fortuna wound up with 13 points.
The scores:
First Game
BARAKO 95—Wise 33, Fortuna 13, Lastimosa 10, Wilson 10, Miranda 8, Jensen 7, Marcelo 6, Intal 3, Pennisi 3, Thiele 2, Deutchman 0.
MERALCO 94—Hodge 20, Williams 19, David 19, Dillinger 8, Timberlake 6, Salvacion 6, Bringas 4, Hugnatan 4, Wilson 4, Ildefonso 2, Sena 2, Guevarra 0.
Quarters: 28-17, 52-39, 68-70, 95-94
Second Game
ALASKA 94—Walker 27, Thoss 18, Abueva 12, Espinas 10, Baguio 7, Casio 6, Jazul 6, Hontiveros 6, Manuel 2.
SAN MIGUEL BEER 87—Williams 42, Fajardo 13, Lassiter 8, Maierhofer 6, Tubid 6, Mercado 5, Santos 3, Lutz 2, Chua 2, Lanete 0, Kramer 0, Ross 0.
Quarters: 20-18, 43-40, 69-70, 94-87
