Hot Alaska burn Gin in Game 1 of PBA Finals

MANILA: Hot milk prevailed over cold drink.
 
This was the scenario Wednesday night at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum, in Metro Manila’s Cubao, Quezon City, where Alaska Milk ripped Barangay Ginebra, 87-70, in Game 1 of their best-of-three Finals of the 2013 PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
 
The Alaska Aces choked the Gin Kings, who posted an all-time Finals low six points in the first quarter, and spurted to leads of as many as 30, breaking the hearts of a pro-Ginebra crowd of about 20,000.
 
“This is huge,” Alaska coach Luigi Trillo was quoted by the PBA (Philippine Basketball Association) as saying. “When you look at it, the games are set every other day. We took care of business today. This is a short series. They have to figure (things) out for Friday and turn around and do it again Sunday.”
 
Opening with 14 unanswered points, the Aces allowed the Gin Kings’ first field goal only at 6.05 into the game, which eventually favoured the Milkmen to walk tall in their next meeting.
 
“We need to play to our identity,” Trillo said. “They run-and-gun, get a lot of energy from the crowd when they do certain things. (But) we gave them six points in the first quarter. I think that’s our identity: defence.”
 
He added, “When we get a lead, we understand the situation. It’s going to be physical, borderline hurt. Our guys have to understand that they are going to get it. It’s the Finals, so they know that.”
 
Sonny Thoss, Calvin Abueva, Jayvee Casio and Cyrus Baguio each scored at least 10 points for Alaska, which will try to make it a more daunting 2-0 lead through Game 2 set Friday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, in Pasay City.
 
The perennial crowd favourite Barangay Ginebra did not shoot more than 38 per cent from the floor, although it managed to narrow the deficit down to 68-79 when the Gin Kings went 26-for-84 from the field against the Aces’ 32-for-70 clip.
 
Vernon Macklin ended up with 16 points and 14 rebounds, pacing Ginebra, while LA Tenorio came alive only in the fourth quarter with nine of his 14 points.
 
“I thought we did a fairly good job on Vernon,” Trillo said. “You can’t stop him but you can control him. I also thought LA struggled a little bit. We knew he’d come out aggressive, try and take over the game.”
 
While starting the game listlessly, Ginebra found its footing in the second period, although Alaska had gained enough momentum by then to build a 38-13 lead before creating an impending victory with a 46-24 cushion at the turn.
 
Alaska’s RJ Jazul came off the bench to hit 16 points while teammate Robert Dozier finished with 14 points, 22 rebounds, two steals and three blocks.
 
Kerby Raymundo and Jay-Jay Helterbrand struggled on court, raking in only 16 points between them, while Josh Urbiztondo only had four markers in 25 minutes, as Ginebra failed to keep up with fiery Alaska.
 
Brief scores:
 
Alaska Milk (Aces) 87 - Jazul 16, Dozier 14, Thoss 12, Abueva 10, Casio 10, Baguio 10, Espinas 9, Dela Cruz 4, Hontiveros 2, Belasco 0.
 
Barangay Ginebra (Gin Kings) 70 - Macklin 16, Tenorio 14, Raymundo 9, Helterbrand 7, Espiritu 6, Labagala 4, Urbiztondo 4, Maierhofer 4, Mamaril 2, Caguioa 2, Ellis 1, Baracael 1, Wilson 0, Hatfield 0.
 
Quarter scores: 28-6, 46-24, 67-48, 87-70
 

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