THE ALASKA Aces still couldn’t catch a break in their first game back from a disappointing Philippine Cup campaign as they yielded to the Blackwater Elite, 101-107, yesterday in the 41st PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena.
With import Rob Dozier sitting out, the Aces lost for the first time to the Elite, who also registered their first back-to-back win in their young franchise history.
MJ Rhett had a stellar showing for the Elite as the 23-year-old import tallied 18 points, 21 rebounds, and 10 assists.
“It feels good to achieve this first back-to-back wins for our franchise and I’m very sure that our team owner Dioceldo Sy is very happy about this win,” said Blackwater coach Leo Isaac.
Blackwater now sports a 2-1 (win-loss) record, winning again after losing to an import-less Talk ‘N Text, 102-108 last Feb. 1. The Elite’s other win came at the expense of fellow expansion team Mahindra, 110-102.
Carlo Lastimosa continued his strong showing as he led all scorers with 24 points. Four other Blackwater locals scored in twin digits with Reil Cervantes, Bambam Gamalinda, Mike Cortez and Raphy Reyes combining for 53 points.
Blackwater led by as many as 16 points in the fourth but Alaska rallied and cut the deficit to just four, 101-105, with 54 seconds left. Alaska, however, failed to convert in crucial play after Jvee Casio missed a three-pointer. Lastimosa iced the win with two free throws with 10 seconds remaining.
Vic Manuel tallied 20 points for Alaska, which absorbed its fifth straight defeat, including four straight losses in the Philippine Cup Finals.
THE SCORES
BLACKWATER (107)- Lastimosa 24, Cervantes 21, Rhett 18, Gamalinda 12, Cortez 10, Reyes 10, Dela Cruz 6, Canada 3, Erram 2, Tiongson 1, Golla 0.
ALASKA (101) – Manuel 20, Thoss 18, Baguio 16, Abueva 11, Casio 10, Banchero 9, Dela Cruz 4, Racal 4, Eman 3, Jazul 3, Exciminiano 2, Dela Rosa 1, Vanlandingham 0.
QUARTERSCORES: 27-23, 51-50, 80-70, 107-101.