Aces subdue Kings, remain unbeaten

MANILA, Philippines - Alaska Milk nearly lost a 20-point lead on a spirited Ginebra chase in the third quarter but recovered in time to post a 105-96 victory and keep its unbeaten run in the KFC PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum last night. Reynel Hugnatan, Willie Miller, LA Tenorio and John Ferriols stepped up for Alaska in the final period and the Aces went on to duplicate their 4-0 start in the same tournament last year. The Kings, playing minus injured star players Mark Caguioa and Eric Menk, suffered their first loss in four outings.

“We got loosey-goosey in the second half and Jong (Uichico) got his team fired up. We kind of falling down but the thing was how we got up. What’s important was how we responded,” said Alaska coach Tim Cone.

The Aces stayed calm under pressure, quelling the Ginebra uprising and coming through with another emphatic win in the tournament where they’re looking to improve on their second-place finish last year. Ronald Tubid and Jayjay Helterbrand fueled Ginebra’s searing chase that had the Kings coming to within two points twice after trailing by 20 at 40-60. Tubid and Helterbrand had 11 and 10 points, respectively, in the third period where the Kings outscored the Aces, 38-22, to close in at 80-82 going into the final quarter. The Aces, however, hung tough with Hugnatan, Miller, Tenorio and Ferriols taking charge in the final 12 minutes of play. Hugnatan and Miller fired seven points apiece while Tenorio and Ferriols had four each in the payoff period. Sonny Thoss made only six points but pulled down 10 big rebounds and came through with a crucial block on Enrico Villanueva and Alaska parlayed this into a basket to ensure the win at 105-95. Hugnatan topscored for Alaska with 20 points coming off the bench with Tony dela Cruz adding 16, Tenorio 15, Miller 11 and Joe Devance 10.

“Once again our second group played excellent basketball, giving Willie Miller and LA Tenorio the luxury of some rest. Willie and LA were so fresh coming back in the fourth quarter,” said Cone, making special mention of Hugnatan, Ferriols, Larry Fonacier and Jeff Cariaso.