ALASKA remained sharp and unbeaten as it steamrolled Mahindra, 98-92, for its third straight victory in the 2017 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City yesterday.
Cory Jefferson continued to impress, tallying a double-double of 30 points and 11 rebounds to once again lead the Aces.
His fellow frontliners Calvin Abueva and Sonny Thoss contributed 17 and 11 markers, respectively.
The win allowed the Aces, who led from start to finish, to improve to 3-0 and be guaranteed solo second place at the moment.
“We didn’t like the way we ended the game, but we had a good start. It also helps when you import’s on fire,” said Alaska coach Alex Compton. “Sonny Thoss was awesome, he played like an import.”
Two other unbeaten teams, Rain or Shine and Meralco, who are both at 3-0 at this time, are fighting it out to see who eventually goes on to take solo leadership and improve to 4-0.
The loser is bound to fall to third place with the Aces climbing to solo second.
The Aces, just like in their first two games, came out of the gates firing, immediately taking an 18-8 advantage after the first six minutes.
They never looked back as they continued pouncing on the helpless Mahindra side.
Alaska took an 18-point lead, 68-50, after two free throws from rookie Carl Cruz at the 4:43 mark of the third and that basically became the dagger.
The Aces held a 74-61 cushion entering the fourth.
While Mahindra made a last-ditch effort in the final 12 minutes to make things a bit interesting and narrow the final tally, the Aces weren’t threatened seriously.
On the other hand, the Floodbuster fell to 1-4 near the bottom as it was unable to sustain the momentum it got from its first win the last time out.
The scores:
ALASKA 98—Jefferson 30, Abueva 17, Thoss 11, Racal 8, Cruz 8, Enciso 6, Exciminiano 5, Galliguez 5, Pascual 2, Casio 2, Mendoza 2, Andrada 2, Magat 0.
MAHINDRA 92—White 30, Yee 13, Revilla 12, David 10, Mallari 7, Celda 5, Paniamogan 5, Guevarra 2, Teng 2, Galanza 2, Ballesteros 2, Elorde 2, Deutchman 0, Caperal 0, Salva 0.
Quarterscores: 28-18, 50-40, 74-61, 98-92.
Games tomorrow
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
4:15 p.m. – Blackwater vs. Talk N Text
7 p.m. – NLEX vs. Star Hotshots