Alaska takes 2-0 lead

Game today

Araneta Coliseum
5 p.m.- San Miguel vs. Rain or Shine

The Alaska Aces made it two in a row and they didn’t need a dramatic comeback this time as they crippled the defending champions Star Hotshots, 95-74, last night in Game 2 of their best-of-five semifinal series of the 40th PBA Governors’ Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Aces followed up their gutsy 97-91 come-from-behind Game 1 victory with the dominating 21-point win to grab a commanding 2-0 series, giving them three chances of making it to the Finals for the second time this season.

Apart from employing their trademark unforgiving defense, the Aces were also impeccable on offense. Romeo Travis topscored for the Aces with 19 points, while Calvin Abueva, Ping Exciminano and Noy Baclao all scored in twin digits to combine for 31 points.

Typifying a balanced attack, five other Alaska locals scored at least seven each.

Baclao was the surprise package for the Aces, chipping in 10 points after coming into the game averaging just 1.4 points a game.

Baclao scored eight of his output in the third, where the Aces broke the game wide open by leading by as many as 18 points.

Star moved within 72-80 in the final 7:01 but Alaska put together a back-breaking 13-0 assault to erect a commanding 93-72 lead with 57.3 seconds left.

Marqus Blakely paced Star with 19 markers.

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