The Alaska Aces finally ended their run of futility after taking down the San Miguel Beermen, 90-79, in the Oppo PBA Governors’ Cup Saturday at the AUF Gym in Angeles, Pampanga.
The victory snapped the Aces’ six-game losing skid this conference, and 14 overall dating back to the Commissioner’s Cup. It was also Alaska’s first win after five months.
LaDontae Henton erupted for 36 points and 15 boards while Pampanga native Calvin Abueva made 13 points and nine boards to lead Alaska (1-6) which handcuffed the Beermen early to lead from start to finish.
Henton tallied 10 points in the opening frame to outscore the whole San Miguel squad in that period. Alaska came away with a 19-9 lead after the first 12 minutes.
The Aces closed the half with a 44-31 halftime lead and were able to weather a huge San Miguel storm in an intense third quarter that saw Chris Banchero ejected due to two technicals after having some heated moments with Chris Ross.
Calvin Abueva was also slapped with a technical after disrespecting officials.
Those happened in the middle of San Miguel’s run that put the Beermen within three points.
But big shots by Henton and Simon Enciso kept Alaska afloat as they took a 63-53 lead entering the final frame.
The Aces went for the jugular in the fourth quarter where they led by as many as 17 points.
Local boy Arwind Santos finished with 29 points and nine rebounds off the bench for San Miguel (3-3). But they got little help from new import Terik Bridgeman who only scored two points and six rebounds while committing six turnovers in his debut.
The scores:
Alaska 90 – Henton 36, Abueva 13, Thoss 12, Casio 9, Banchero 6, Galliguez 5, Enciso 4, Mendoza 2, Pascual 2, Racal 1, Baclao 0.
San Miguel 79 – Santos 29, Cabagnot 14, Fajardo 12, Lassiter 6, Ross 4, Heruela 4, Espinas 4, Pessumal 3, Bridgeman 2, Rosser 1, Semerad 0.
Quarters: 19-9, 44-31, 63-53, 90-79.