ALASKA guns for a commanding 2-0 lead in its best-of-five semifinal series against defending champion Star in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors’ Cup on Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Fresh from a come-from-behind 97-91 victory in the series opener on Wednesday, the Aces try to ride the momentum they gathered in that victory in their 7 p.m. encounter and push the Hotshots to the brink.
Alaska trailed by as many as 18 points in the first half of Game One but came out with more energy after the break to steal the game from the Star.
“I just told them they’re not quitters. I got a tough group of guys. I believe they’re not going to give up. I just want our identity to come out in the second half,” Aces Head Coach Alex Compton said minutes after the tough win.
“But I’m sure the Star will come back. We have to bring an even higher level of intensity and toughness if we want to win this next one,” he added.
Romeo Travis finished with a double-double for Alaska in Game One with 28 points and 10 rebounds, while guards Jayvee Casio and Chris Banchero combined for 28 points—besides from hitting the all important baskets at crunchtime that denied the Star of a comeback.
Marqus Blakely had 23 markers for the Hotshots, while three others hit double figures in scoring for the team of Head Coach Tim Cone led by Peter June Simon (16 points); Mark Barroca (13) and James Yap (13).
Yap, the two-time Most Valuable Player, made 10 points in the first half, where the Star built a 51-33 lead. But he was held to just three points the rest of the way.
Cone needs better effort from his frontline, particularly Joe Devance and Marc Pingris, who combined for only 10 points in Game One.
“Alaska did a great job of just playing their game. We lost our discipline in the second half and paid for it. Hopefully, we’ll be better and wiser going into Game Two,” Cone said.
The PBA, meanwhile, approved on Thursday a one-on-one swap between Barako Bull and Blackwater. The Energy sent their combo guard Carlo Lastimosa to the Elite for sturdy rookie playmaker Brian Heruela.
But Heruela is believed to be headed eventually for San Miguel Beer right after the season and reunite with college teammate June Mar Fajardo. Heruela and Fajardo won two titles together with the University of Cebu in the Cebu Schools Athletic Federation Inc. tournament.
Image credits: Kevin de la Cruz