Alaska Milk checked a long losing skid versus NLEX, riding the crucial onslaught of Antonio Cambell and Chris Banchero in the fourth quarter en route to a 120-111 win that boosted the Aces' Top Two drive in the PBA Commissioner's Cup at the MOA Arena in Pasay City Friday night.
Campbell fired away clutch treys in the fourth quarter to highlight a 28-point game while Banchero scored 10 of his 12 points in the last five minutes of the game as the Aces thwarted the Road Warriors and thus tied the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the lead at 7-1.
The Road Warriors rallied from a huge 18-point deficit and surged ahead late in the third, 80-78, but lost steam in the end, and went down to a seventh loss against two wins.
"Coach was telling of their losing record against NLEX, but I told them I wasn't here then. Before the game, I said we're gonna get the 'W,' and that's what we did," said Campbell.
Vic Manuel put in a seventh straight game with at least 22 points and helped Alaska to a seventh consecutive win after a losing conference debut versus Rain or Shine.
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Jvee Casio made 16 points while Kevin Racal and Simon Enciso chipped in 13 each in yet another well-balanced attack by the Aces.
"We watch each other's back. It's about one man's down and one man's up mentality," said Campbell on their amazing showing in the midseason tourney.
"We've been working hard since I got here in April," added Campbell, stressing the Alaska locals have been lifting him up when he's down.
Banchero and Enciso were with Campbell in working a decisive attack that eventually finished off NLEX, 120-108.
Alaska was ahead by just two, 108-106, when Campbell fired away the last of his four three-pointers in the game to touch off a crucial 12-2 run.
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Cyrus Baguio scored nine of his 11 points in the third, to spearhead their rally after the Aces imposed themselves early and built a huge lead, 28-14, right in the first quarter.
NLEX new recruit Mark Tallo proved to be a revelation, having his share in their third-quarter siege.
But not even Arnett Moultrie's 34-point game couldn't save the Road Warriors from another loss.(SB)
