Baguio comes up big as in-form Alaska deflates Air21

MANILA, Philippines—Alaska dropped 61 points in the second half and broke away from Air21 with a 98-84 decision that gave the Aces a second straight win Sunday night in the PBA Governors’ Cup eliminations at FilOil-Flying V Arena in San Juan.

After being held to just 37 points in the first two periods, the Aces buckled down to work and ran the Express to the ground as Cyrus Baguio led a balanced drive that boosted Alaska to a level 2-2 card.

“I just told my players that we needed to pick it up in the second half,” Alaska coach Tim Cone said after the game.

Baguio, probably the least heralded superstar in the league, finished with 19 points and three assists, highlighting his offensive effort late in the fourth period with five straight points to restore a 10-point Alaska lead.

With their 16-point third-quarter lead whittled down to just five on a Carlo Sharma jumper, 75-70, the Aces turned to Baguio, who canned a triple and a running jumper for 80-70 going into the final 3:47.

“Cyrus played his normal game,” Cone said of his swing man.

Air21, with import Alpha Bangura getting a fifth foul with still 2:02 left in the third period, slumped to its fourth straight loss and now needs nothing more than a sweep of its remaining four games to make the semifinals without complications.

Bangura showed up with a lot more intensity compared to the Express’ first three games and finished with 20 points and seven rebounds in 36 minutes to lead Air21.

Danny Seigle, the former San Miguel Beer star, was held to 10 points by Alaska import Jason Forte, with Nino Canaleta and Sharma adding 16 apiece for the Express.

Forte finished with 18 points and 10 boards and missed his first PBA career triple double by three assists, prompting Cone to heap praises on his hard-working import who had his first stint on Philippine soil as a walk-in import of Air21 a couple of years ago.

“We also lost our first two games with Diamon (Simpson last year),” Cone said. “The same has happened with Jason. And he’s playing well. He took Seigle out of the game and if he scores, that’s a bonus for us.”

Forte also put the game to bed for the Aces, scoring on a breakaway after an LA Tenorio steal off Bangura with 66 seconds left for 91-76.

Wesley Gonzales was also big for Alaska with 13 points built around a 3-of-3 clip from beyond the arc with his last triple coming with two minutes left for 85-72.

THE SCORES:

First Game

ALASKA 98 — Baguio 19, Forte 18, Thoss 15, Gonzales 13, Borboran 8, Dela Cruz 8, Tenorio 7, Reyes 6, Custodio 2, Cabalay 2.

AIR21 84 — Bangura 20, Canaleta 16, Sharma 16, Seigle 10, Artadi 5, Arboleda 5, Espiritu 4, Hontiveros 4, Urbiztondo 2, Juntilla 2, Salvador 0, Avenido 0.

Quarters: 24-19, 37-33, 68-55, 98-84