Alaska's defense holds strong as Aces keep NLEX winless
Alaska came up with the most crucial stop against NLEX import Al Thornton in the dying seconds, hanging tough to a close 96-95 victory on Saturday night while getting its PBA Commissioner's Cup campaign back on track at The Arena in San Juan.
After wasting what once stood as a big 13-point lead and holding to the the slimmest of margins with four seconds to go, the Aces banked on their vaunted defensive pressure as guard Ping Exciminiano, Calvin Abueva, and Dondon Hontiveros teamed up in forcing the 6-foot-8 Thornton to commit just his first error—but still the most decisive to the dismay of the Road Warriors—as time expired. NLEX head coach exploded of their bench asking why a foul was not called but his complaint fell on deaf ears.
The victory enabled Alaska to bounce back from a deflating 88-108 setback at the hands of defending champion Purefoods Star last Tuesday while dealing NLEX its second straight setback following a 91-96 loss to Rain or Shine four days ago.
With veteran center Sonny Thoss and playmaker JVee Casio still recuperating from their respective injuries, import DJ Covington took up the cudgels with a team-high 24 points while getting enough local support from the likes of Vic Manuel, Cyrus Baguio and RJ Jazul, who all scored at least 12 markers for Alaska
But it was their final defensive stop that enabled the Aces to survive the Road Warriors, with Exciminiano, Abueva and Hontiveros collapsing on a driving Thornton, who lost his footing on his way in the lane.
That big error put a dampen on Thornton’s impressive showing of 39 points and 13 rebounds.
Gunner KG Canaleta was the only local to score in double figures for the Road Warriors with 16 markers, spiked by four triples—a pair of them coming in their big fightback from a 56-69 deficit that saw them pull to within 73-75 going into the payoff canto.
While Canaleta cooled off, guard Rudy Linganay provided the support for Thornton with clutch triples, the last pegging the count at 85-apiece with less than six minutes left to play.
But Manuel came through with a back-to-back inside incursions before falling awkwardly, his left knee apparently getting injured at the 3:00 mark.
Manuel’s efforts were preserved by the likes of Covington, Abueva and Baguio, who even hit a pair of free throws for a 96-94 cushion with less than two minutes to go.
NLEX had the chance to tie the game anew but center Asi Taulava split his charities with 46.1 seconds, setting up the stage for a thrilling windup.
The Main Man: DJ Covington made his presence felt in time for the injury-ravaged Aces as he topscored with 24 points aside from collecting seven rebounds and two assists.
Honorable Mentions: Giving Covington the needed help offensively were the likes of Vic Manuel, Cyrus Baguio and RJ Jazul.
Game Turning Point: The Road Warriors had a chance to steal the victory with four seconds to go but import Al Thornton crumbled under the suffocating pressure applied by Aces defenders Ping Exciminiano, Calvin Abueva, and Dondon Hontiveros.
Stat of the Game: The Aces made a living underneath as they scored 56 points, doubling the Road Warriors’ output.
Next Games:
Alaska versus GlobalPort on Feb. 10 at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum
NLEX against Purefoods Star on Feb. 11 at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum
He Said It:
Alaska coach Alex Compton: This is our first win since a couple of bad losses. We broke down and some poor rotations. They exploited out breakdowns. We have to keep on getting better
The scores:
ALASKA 96 - Covington 24, Manuel 16, Baguio 14, Jazul 12, Banchero 7, Abueva 6, Menk 6, Dela Cruz 5, Exciminiano 2, Hontiveros 2, Espinas 2, Eman 0, Dela Rosa 0, Vanlandingham 0.
NLEX 95 - Thornton 39, Canaleta 16, Ramos 9, Villanueva J. 8, Lingganay 6, Borboran 6, Taulava 5, Cardona 4, Hermida 2, Camson 0, Arboleda W. 0, Apinan 0, Arboleda H. 0, Baloria 0, Soyud 0.
Quarter scores: 22-16, 46-40, 75-73, 96-95
