From the looks of it, the Alaska Aces might just be getting their groove at the right time. The defending champs utilized a strong finish to outgun the erstwhile streaking San Miguel Beermen, 89-78, in the conference’s first out-of-town game in Biñan, Laguna. Coach Luigi Trillo’s wards scored the final 13 points of the game en route to their third win in six games. The Aces have won their last two assignments after going 1-3 to start the Commish Cup. Not surprisingly, Rob Dozier, the reigning Best Import of the conference, had a monster game, dropping 20 points on 5/9 FG shooting and a flawless 10/10 effort from the stripe. He also grabbed 21 rebounds, had 1 steal, and blocked 1 shot.
The starting backcourt of Chris Ross and Marcio Lassiter have been playing well for San Miguel Beer this conference. That is, until this game, where both of them combined to shoot a barf-worthy 2/21 from the floor. This after Ross has been averaging more than 12 points in his last three games. As for Lassiter this was his first time to fall short of the double-digit scoring mark. They also combined for 5 of SMB’s 16 turnovers.
Clutch Shooting: With Alaska down, 76-78, after a drive from Sol Mercado, Dozier, Cyrus Baguio, and JV Casio combined to spark the victory-clinching windup. Baguio and Casio each hit a three and Dozier hit two freebies as the Aces retook the advantage, 84-78, and cruised the rest of the way. Baguio and Casio paired up to shoot 5/8 from beyond the arc on their way to a total of 29 markers. Casio also defied conventions by hauling down 9 boards. RJ Jazul and Gabby Espinas, meanwhile, came off the pine to score 10 points each.
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| DonDon Hontiveros and the Aces might be gaining steam at just the right time in the PBA. |
Game Recap:
ALASKA over SAN MIGUEL BEER, 89-78
Coming off a long layoff, the Alaska Aces looked rejuvenated as they used a late run to defeat the San Miguel Beermen, 89-78, in the lone game on Saturday at Alonte Sports Arena in Biñan, Laguna.
The Aces, who had not played since winning against the Air 21 Express last March 16, improved their record in the PLDT Home TVolution Commissioner’s Cup to 3-3. They also halted San Miguel Beer’s four-game winning run.
Except for a brief stretch in the first half that saw Alaska take a 10-point lead, it was a tight contest for most of the game.
In fact, the Beermen were still ahead, 78-76, on a strong drive from Sol Mercado with less than four minutes left in the match.
But JVee Casio answered right back with a three-pointer to give Alaska back the edge. That shot touched off a 13-0 run as the Aces prevent the Beermen from scoring the rest of the way.
Reigning Best Import Robert Dozier led Alaska with 20 points and 20 rebounds while going a perfect 10-of-10 from the free throw line.
The Beermen suffered their second loss in seven games.
ALA 89 - Dozier 20, Baguio 15, Casio 14, Jazul 10, Espinas 10, Hontiveros 8, Manuel 6, Dela Cruz 2, Abueva 2, Thoss 2, Reyes 0
SMB 78 - Fajardo 14, Mercado 14, Santos 13, Jones 11, Tubid 6, Hubalde 5, Kramer 4, Ross 2, Lutz 4, Lassiter 3, Lanete 0
QS: 11-12, 37-32, 62-62, 89-78
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| Chris Ross and the Beermen ran out of juice in the clutch. |
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| Rob Dozier unloaded a 20-21 effort to pace the Aces in their third W. |
Recap by Rey Joble/InterAKTV.
Images by Paolo Papa and Paul Ryan Tan/Sports 5.
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