Alaska sends San Miguel to 0-4 start

Marcio Lassiter of San Miguel (light) vs Ping Exciminiano of Alaska (dark). PBA IMAGE by Nuki Sabio

MANILA, Philippines—Alaska-San Miguel Beer picked up from where it left off. Only this time, the result was far different.

The Aces again bucked a slow start but finished strong this time, scoring a 107-100 victory that left the Beermen the only winless side in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup eliminations at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.

“I felt we really needed the win,” Alaska coach Alex Compton said. “I know that it’s early (in the tournament), but this is not 10 teams getting in (the playoffs).”

Dondon Hontiveros scored 12 points and rookie point guard Chris Banchero dropped nine in the fourth quarter as the duo took turns in fending off the Beermen to eventually rise to 2-2 overall and be in the middle of the pack.

The Beermen, who won the Philippine Cup in a dramatic 80-78 Game 7 victory over the Aces less than a month ago, slumped to their fourth straight defeat and were left alone in the cellar after NLEX broke through earlier in the night with a 106-79 ripping of Blackwater.

Import DJ Covington finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds despite playing just 26 minutes because of foul trouble, but four locals drilled in 10 or more with Calvin Abueva returning from a game’s absence to shoot 12 and grab five rebounds and issue the same number of assists.

Ronald Roberts led the Beermen with 22 points and June Mar Fajardo snapped out of his offensive slump with 21, 13 in the fourth.

The scores:

First Game

NLEX 106—Thornton 39, Canaleta 9, Lingganay 9, Villanueva J. 9, Villanueva E. 9, Hermida 8, Taulava 8, Cardona 7, Ramos 4, Arboleda 2, Baloria 2, Camson 0, Borboran 0, Apinan 0, Soyud 0.

BLACKWATER 79—Faundo 17, Douthit 15, Celiz 15, Reyes 8, Heruela 7, Laure 7, Bulawan 6, Acuna 4, Canada 0, Timberlake 0, Nuyles 0, Erram 0, Gamalinda 0, Salvacion 0, Ballesteros 0.

Quarters: 24-11, 55-27, 84-49, 106-79

Second Game

ALASKA 107—Covington 20, Hontiveros 17, Banchero 14, Abueva 12, Baguio 10, Espinas 8, Menk 8, Exciminiano 7, Manuel 6, Jazul 5, Eman 0, Dela Rosa 0, Vanlandingham 0, Dela Cruz 0, Casio 0.

SAN MIGUEL BEER 100—Roberts 24, Fajardo 21, Lassiter 18, Lutz 15, Ross 9, Tubid 6, Santos 4, Fortuna 3, Kramer 0, Reyes 0, Omolon 0.

Quarters: 19-27, 49-50, 76-78, 107-100