Alaska reprises Game 1 win over Ginebra

Alaska Milk has reprised its Game 1 win over people’s favourite Barangay Ginebra, staying perfect at the Mall of Asia Arena, in Metro Manila’s Pasay City, as it secured a 2-0 lead in the Finals of PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
 
Rob Dozier and Sonny Thoss manned the court once again, as their backcourt and wingmen teammates outplayed their Ginebra counterparts for a 104-90 victory in their best-of-five (not –three as earlier reported) tourney series on Friday night.
 
“We have a firm game plan working,” Alaska head coach Luigi Trillo was quoted by the PBA, or Philippine Basketball Association, as saying. “Until they figure it out, we’ll keep doing the same.”
 
The Finals series returns to the Smart-Araneta Coliseum, also known as the Big Dome, in Cubao, Quezon City, on Sunday, where the Alaska Aces hope to score their first 3-0 Finals victory in the league in 26 years.
 
The Gin Kings, whose spirit may have been broken by the fiery Milkmen, must win three in a row to salvage the series. But it may be noted that Ginebra has yet to beat Alaska in this tourney.
 
PBA said that only Crispa and Purefoods had come back from 0-2 down to win a best-of-five titular series in 1976 and 1990 respectively in the league history. Both teams won under legendary coach Baby Dalupan.
 
Alaska had not done a blazing start like it did in Game 1, as it was down 4-11 against the stronger Ginebra squad. But the Aces’ fluid game ruled eventually, leaving the Gin Kings gasping for air while trying to fight back.
 
“We have to weather the first quarter storm,” Trillo said. “We knew they’re gonnna come out with a lot of energy. There’s a lot of pride and tradition on that other side. But it’s hard to do in 48 minutes playing only eight to nine guys.”
 
Alaska import Dozier outwitted his Ginebra counterpart Vernon Macklin yet again, ending up with 15 points and 20 rebounds as against the latter’s eight markers and 13 boards.
 
Thoss, who finished with 16 points, served as the Aces’ first line of defence against Macklin. Joining Thoss with their offensive contributions against the Ginebra import were Calvin Abueva, Cyrus Baguio, and Dondon Hontiveros, who fired 15 points each, and Jayvee Casio, who finished with 13 points.
 
The Aces started to nail down the Gin Kings in the second quarter, with 6-of-21 field shootings to open a 54-37 margin at the half. Alaska then stormed away, leading Ginebra by as many as 24 in the third period and “easily fended off the Kings’chase at endgame”, PBA said.
 
JayJay Helterbrand led Ginebra by finishing with 17 points while LA Tenorio chipped in 16, Marc Baracael 11 and Kerby Raymundo 10.
 
Scoreboard:
 
Alaska Milk (Aces) 104 – Thoss 16, Dozier 15, Abueva 15, Baguio 15, Hontiveros 15, Casio 13, Espinas 8, Jazul 4, Belasco 3, Dela Cruz 0.
 
Barangay Ginebra (Gin Kings) 90 – Helterbrand 17, Tenorio 16, Baracael 11, Raymundo 10, Macklin 8, Ellis 8, Labgala 5, Urbiztondo 5, Mamaril 4, Hatfield 4, Caguioa 2, Maierhofer 0.
 
Quarter scores: 25-23, 54-37, 74-56, 104-90

 

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