Keeping its poise in the clutch, Alaska was able to survive NorthPort, 106-99, to earn its second straight win and keep its bid for a quarterfinals berth alive in the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association Governors' Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.
Vic Manuel scored a conference-high with 23 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Aces in the all-important win.
Before fouling out in the dying seconds, Franko House nearly had identical numbers, also scoring 23 points with 11 rebounds for his own double-double for Alaska.
After grabbing the lead late in the second quarter, Alaska protected it and did not relinquish its edge until it secured the win.
The Aces needed some key stops down the stretch though to shrug off the pesky Batang Pier.
Alaska improved to 3-6 with two games left, needing to win both to stay in the hunt for a top eight finish as it is currently in ninth place.
"Even when we were losing, we're staying positive and we're still alive," said Manuel. "We look to win our last two games pa."
Despite the loss, NorthPort stayed in eighth place with its 3-5 slate.
Alaska was threatened in the dying seconds after Christian Standhardinger's turnaround jumper inched NorthPort within just three, 99-102,
However, the Aces stood still in the waning ticks with some key baskets and stops to pull through.
Alaska survived 30-point games from Standhardinger and Michael Qualls, who carried the fight for the Batang Pier.
Standhardinger set a new career-high 37 points and 16 rebounds while Qualls had 34 markers and 15 boards as both had double-doubles in the losing cause.
The Aces ended the first half on an 11-6 run to gain some separation, 53-48, at the turn.
Alaska played minus Chris Banchero, who is in the process of being shipped out.
An impending trade is bound to send Banchero to Magnolia as the Aces are about to receive Robbie Herndon and Rodney Brondial in return.
