Alaska Aces make it three wins in a row
THE Alaska Aces gave further legs to their Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors’ Cup “turnaround” yesterday after defeating the Kia Picanto, 102-94, for their third straight win.
Lost their first six games in the season-ending PBA tournament, the Aces have completed a trifecta of victories to gain further respectability and keep their narrow chances of advancing to the next round alive.
The Aces fashioned out the win by coming from behind on the strength of a late charge in the fourth period.
The Picanto took the opening period, 27-23, before maintaining control at the halftime break, 51-46.
Alaska made an early run to start the third canto but Kia would fight back to stay in command, 63-58, halfway into it.
Kia would then outscore its opponent, 14-9, the rest of the way to extend their lead to 10 points, 77-67, end-third quarter.
The Aces started the final quarter with a 12-5 run to cut the Picanto lead to just five points, 82-79, with less than eight minutes remaining.
They would eventually tie the knot at 84-all halfway into payoff period.
The combatants fought to a 91-all affair with 2:34 to go in the game.
Calvin Abueva would then give the Aces a three-point cushion, 94-91, thereafter only to be answered by Kia import Geron Johnson with a triple to level the count anew.
But Alaska was not to be denied of a comeback with as import LaDontae Henton and JV Casio conspired for five straight points to get some separation from which Kia could not get back itself from, giving the Aces the win.
Mr. Abueva took charge for the Aces with 26 points and 15 rebounds while Messrs. Henton and Casio had 20 points apiece.
For Kia it was Mr. Johnson who led with 39 points, nine rebounds and seven assists.
With the win, Alaska improved to 3-6 while Kia remained winless in nine games. —