Manuel, Alaska send TNT to 1st loss

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

ANTIPOLO — Alaska seemingly couldn’t do anything wrong and dealt TNT its first loss, 110-100, in the 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Sunday at Ynares Center here.

Vic Manuel was feeling it once again, tallying a new career-high 29 points to go with 12 rebounds as the Aces cruised to their third straight victory.

“Sometimes, he’s like our import,” said Alaska coach Alex Compton of his tireless forward. “He made the buckets today that gave the guys some rest. He was huge.”

Antonio Campbell also got 23 points, 20 boards, and three assists for Alaska, which gained a share of the early lead in the standings at 3-1.

Behind Manuel and Campbell, the Aces slowly pulled away in the first half, erecting a 59-43 lead that ballooned to 25, 92-67, with a floater from Manuel at the 10:46 mark of the fourth quarter.

Calvin Abueva also had an all-around game with his nine points, nine rebounds, three steals, three blocks, and two assists off the bench, while JVee Casio got 10.

Alaska was buoyed by an efficient 47 percent shooting from the field and didn’t hesitate on sharing the rock, dishing out 25 games in the contest.

TNT did threaten to make a late run behind Jayson Castro and Jericho Cruz, but the KaTropa just ran out of time.

Castro unloaded 18 points, six assists, and five rebounds, while Terrence Romeo had 17 points, eight assists, and four boards in the defeat as TNT fell to 3-1.

The scores:

ALASKA 110 — Manuel 29, Campbell 23, Casio 10, Abueva 9, Banchero 8, Racal 8, Enciso 7, Magat 7, Thoss 5, Teng 4, Baclao 0, Exciminiano 0, Potts 0.

TNT 100 — Castro 18, Romeo 17, Tyler 16, Rosario 15, Cruz 10, Pogoy 9, Semerad 5, Trollano 5, Reyes 3, Paredes 2, Carey 0, Garcia 0, Golla 0, Saitanan 0.

Quarters: 34-26, 59-43, 85-67, 110-100.