Nov 13, 2019

Alaska stays in playoff hunt

Alaska Milk sustained its resurgence, improving to joint sixth while closing the playoffs door on Phoenix Pulse with a 105-102 win in the PBA Governors Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Wednesday.

The Aces started strong then faltered in the second period but regained their bearing in the second half to pull off a third straight win and grab a share of sixth spot with a 4-6 win-loss mark.

Heading to the last four play dates of the elims, Alaska is tied with Columbian Dyip and NorthPort, a full game behind fifth-running Magnolia Pambansang Manok and a full game in front of 10th running Rain or Shine.

The Aces close out their elims stint versus the NLEX Road Warriors on Nov. 20 at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo.

"We need to continue to improve. NLEX came into their game tonight (94-102 loss to NorthPort) as the hottest team. Despite the loss, they're still the hottest team. And losing tonight means they're gonna be better when we play them," said Alaska coach Jeff Cariaso.

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But the Aces mentor is hopeful.

"We have the adjustments to make. Some players know their roles but there are these new guys coming in, and there are the needed adjustments there. But the nice thing is that the players are all on the same page and they want to win," said Cariaso.

Meanwhile, the Fuel Masters saw their remaining quarters hopes fade away with an eighth loss against two wins.

Phoenix and Blackwater clash at 4:30 p.m. Friday at the Big Dome, with both trying to avoid a last-place finish.

The Fuel Masters had hoped to win their last two games against the Aces and the Elite to get a shot at a playoff for the last quarters berth.

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From an early 17-point down, they raced ahead at 53-49 on a big second quarter only to see Alaska's own fightback in the third.

Regaining the upper hand, 80-76, through the third period, the Aces then leaned on a crucial fourth-quarter splurge by Maverick Ahanmisi to foil the Fuel Masters.

Ahanmisi scored 12 points in 18 minutes in his second game as an Alaska Ace. He made 10 in the fourth quarter.

Vic Manuel poured in 20 markers off the bench, with Jeron Teng, Franko House and Kevin Racal also putting in double-digit outputs with 17, 15 and 11, respectively.

A downside was Teng hurting his right knee in a collision with Justin Chua late in the game. He was helped to their bench by his teammates and no longer returned to play.

"He slammed the chair next to him, and it means he's feeling something. We're hoping for the best; that it's just a hyper-extended knee. We're hoping there's nothing bad that will require him to sit for a while," said Cariaso. (SB)


The scores:

Alaska 105 - Manuel 20, Teng 17, House 15, Ahanmisi 12, Racal 11, Enciso 9, Casio 9, Tratter 7, Herndon 3, Brondial 2, Thoss 0, Ayaay 0.

Phoenix 102 - Wright 25, Gee 23, Perkins 18, Chua 16, Mallari 5, Potts 4, Napoles 3, Jazul 2, Kramer 2, Gamboa 2, Intal 2.

Quarterscores: 32-19, 49-53, 80-76, 105-102.