Alaska on a roll with third straight win

MANILA, Philippines — Alaska cruised to its third straight win after finishing off Air21, 92-81, Friday in the 2012 PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

A scattered effort from the veteran Aces carried them through to another win, but rookie Calvin Abueva had another double-double performance.

JVee Casio, who just got discharged from the hospital Thursday, shrugged any ill effects and topscored with 19 points and five assists.

“JVee didn’t practice with us yesterday [Thursday], and he comes in and plays like that,” said Alaska head coach Luigi Trillo, awed of Casio’s performance.

Calvin Abueva added 16 points and 13 rebounds while seasoned swingmen Dondon Hontiveros and Cyrus Baguio, who chipped in 15 markers apiece.

Casio poured bulk of his points in the third quarter, keeping Alaska in the driver’s seat even after allowing Air21 to outscore them.

“Some antsy moments there in the third quarter, we let them go back in,” said Trillo, as his squad allowed the Express to score 27 points in the third.

Air21, which has yet to follow up on its first victory, played catch up all game but never really threatened to pull even or take the lead.

Bonbon Custodio led the Express with 20 points and six rebounds while Nino Canaleta added 16 points and six boards.

The Aces improved to 3-2 and the Express sunk even lower to 1-5 in the standings.