Ritualo, hailed as the best streak shooter in the league right now, found a way to shine under inadequate lighting condition at the Boy Aquino Stadium as he topscored with 26 points, highlighted by a booming triple that doused cold water on Alaska’s searing end-game rally.
That triple, which Ritualo popped over the outstretched arms of Reynel Hugnatan, gave FedEx a 90-86 lead, going into the final two minutes.
The Aces, who slowly came back from 17 points down in the third quarter, failed to sustain their run down the stretch. Save for a split from the foul line by import Dickey Simpkins, everything pointed to an Alaska end-game collapse.
Ritualo sank four more points coming from the charity line and import Anthony Miller scored on a drive to complete the win for FedEx which improved to an even 7-7 card. A passing error by Jeffrey Cariaso and a charging foul by Mike Cortez sealed Alaska’s sixth loss against nine wins.
"This one’s very special for me," said Bong Ramos, who achieved his first-back-to-back win as FedEx mentor. "Our goal is win as many games as we can, magulo pa kasi ang sitwasyon."
Backing up Ritualo were Wesley Gonzales who had 19 points. Import Anthony Miller had 15 plus 12 rebounds, and Egay Billones 10.
Import Dickey Simpkins was his usual deadly self, coming up with a team-high 24 points and 21 rebounds that went for naught as Alaska failed to keep in step with league-leader Talk N Text (10-5).
Aside from Jeffrey Cariaso, who had 22 points and Mike Cortez (19), the rest of the local Aces scored no more than six points.