A booming third-quarter blitz enabled Alaska to thwart Columbian Dyip, 104-94, for a bounce back win as the Aces moved closer to a quarterfinal berth in the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City last night.
Mike Harris continued to be a monster for the Aces, turning in yet another stellar performance with a career-high of 44 points and 27 rebounds to show the way.
Vic Manuel added 16 points, while Chris Banchero nearly had a triple-double with his 10 markers, seven rebounds and 11 assists.
Alaska upped its card to 6-2 and inched closer to a spot in the next round. It also kept its place in the top four.
The top four teams at the end of the elimination round will earn a twice-to-beat incentive in the quarters over the lower-seeded teams.
On the other hand, the woeful Dyip remained winless, now dropping to 0-9 for the conference. It is now in danger of finishing its campaign without a single victory with only two games remaining in its schedule.
Completely finding its groove in the second quarter, Alaska already opened up several double-digit leads to grasp control prior to halftime.
At the half, the Aces carried over a 53-43 cushion.
The Dyip showed some signs of life early in the third, opening the second half with a 7-0 run to inch within just three, 50-53.
However, that was its last hoorah as Alaska swiftly answered with a crucial run to restore order and create a more significant separation.
The Aces continued their run with a 24-9 surge midway of the third to run away from Columbian, taking a commanding 77-53 spread after a completed three-point play from Harris at the 4:51 mark of the period.
Several minutes later, the Aces already ballooned their lead to 20 points on several occasions, putting the game out of reach in the process.
Columbian inched closer in the fourth to make the final count more respectable.
The scores:
Alaska 104 – Harris 44, Manuel 16, Banchero 10, Casio 10, Baclao 6, Thoss 6, Enciso 4, Exciminiano 4, Racal 2, Teng 2, Pascual 0.
Columbian 94 – Wright 19, Corpuz 19, King 14, Celda 11, Reyes 8, McCarthy 7, Lastimosa 6, Tubid 6, Khobuntin 2, Ababou 2, Escoto 0, Cabrera 0.
Quarters: 33-24, 53-43, 85-72, 104-94.
