PBA: Alaska rallies past NLEX, zeroes in on automatic semis berth

Enrico Villanueva is swarmed by Alaska defenders. PBA/Nuki Sabio

Alaska blew hot and cold before finding its form in the endgame to escape with a 90-84 win over NLEX on Friday at SMART-Araneta Coliseum.

 

With the victory, Alaska improved its record to 8-1 for first place with just two more games in the Philippine Cup elimination round. 

 

Dondon Hontivers scored 21 points built on five three-pointers to lead the Aces, who are targeting one of the top two seeds for the playoffs, which come with automatic entry into the semifinal round. 

 

"In some ways, parang similar ito sa GlobalPort na sa huli, nanalo kami sa depensa," said Alaska coach Alex Compton. "We just needed to make good decisions, make stops to try to get back in the game."

 

Alaska opened strong, leading by as much as 12 points in the first quarter. But NLEX steadily chipped away at the deficit, taking the upper hand at the half, 42-40.

 

The Road Warriors then opened up a 15-point bubble, 56-41, after a strong start in the third period. 

 

But Hontiveros caught fire to bring the Aces back, leading into a tight fourth quarter.

 

With NLEX still up by two, 82-80, Alaska scored the next eight points to put away the Road Warriors, whose record dropped to 3-6. — JST, GMA News

 

The scores:

 

ALASKA 90 - Hontiveros 21, Abueva 16, Baguio 11, Thoss 11, Casio 11, Manuel 8, Jazul 7, Banchero 3, Exciminiano 2, Eman 0, Dela Rosa 0, Bugia 0, Menk 0, Dela Cruz 0.

 

NLEX 84 - Borboran 22, Cardona 14, Villanueva J. 13, Taulava 10, Villanueva E. 9, Arboleda 6, Ramos 4, Canaleta 2, Camson 2, Arboleda 2, Hermida 0, Raymundo 0, Apinan 0, Baloria 0.

 

Quarters: 23-15, 40-42, 55-58, 90-84