Alaska finally compiled a winning streak after winning its second straight game at the expense of debuting Magnolia, 103-80, in a lopsided affair to continue its rise in the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.
Chris Daniels had one of his better games of the conference, leading the Aces with 23 points and seven rebounds, while Jvee Casio was on target with 17 points on 77-percent, shooting.
Jeron Teng continued to give Alaska consistent production with a double-double of 12 points and 12 rebounds.
Alaska improved to 3-2 to climb in the upper echelon, while Magnolia started its campaign with a loss at 0-1.
The Aces gave the Hotshots a rude welcome right away with their fine play.
Shooting 53 percent from the field in the first half with seven triples, Alaska was able to get on the driver’s seat and seize command of the contest early.
With both its offense and defense running in full circle in the first 24 minutes, the Aces were able to establish a sizeable 50-38 advantage at intermission.
Not slowing down at all, Alaska continued to pour it on in the third quarter to bury the Hotshots.
Keeping their hot shooting, the Aces stretched their already large lead further to an insurmountable 25-point bubble, 89-64, and finish off the game.
Alaska outscored Magnolia, 39-26, in a dominating third-quarter performance.
Coming off a two-week break following the Philippine Cup Finals, Magnolia was clearly rusty as it struggled to get any sort of rhythm.
Hotshots import John Fields had an underwhelming performance, only managing 12 points for his team.
Meanwhile, Phoenix star Calvin Abueva had been suspended indefinitely and fined P70,000 by the league for his misconducts in the team’s previous two games.
The fine was for P20,000 for engaging with a fan, Blackwater rookie Bobby Ray Parks’ girlfriend, in a verbal altercation and for making obscene gestures, and P50,000 for a flagrant foul penalty 2 against Terrence Jones of TNT KaTropa.
The scores:
Alaska 103—Daniels 23, Casio 17, Teng 12, Enciso 11, Cruz 9, Banchero 8, Manuel 6, Thoss 4, Ayaay 4, Exciminiano 2, Racal 2, Galliguez 2, Babilonia 2, Andrada 1, Potts 0, Pascual 0.
Magnolia 80 – Sangalang 17, Barroca 15, Fields 12, Lee 9, Jalalon 7, Herndon 6, Ramos 5, Melton 4, Dela Rosa 3, Brondial 2, Pascual 0, Simon 0.
Quarters: 25-20, 50-38, 89-64, 103-80