Mark Cornelius Saint Fort struck with 17 points for the backs-against-the-wall Alaska Aces as they repulsed the NLEX Road Warriors, 93-79, on Wednesday to take the lead in their quarterfinal encounter in the 46th Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Saint Fort, who replaced injured import Ola Ashaolu, tallied seven points in the last period, including a triple which gave the Aces their biggest lead at 17, 84-67, with 4:10 remaining.
The newly hired Alaska import had a double-double also highlighted by 14 boards to lead the attack against the twice-to-beat Road Warriors.
Best Player of the Game Jeron Teng had 16 points and 6 rebounds, while Mike Tolomia scored 10 points.
The Aces are now a win shy of earning a semifinal berth, with their next game against the Warriors on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. a win-or-go-home affair.