Aces tame fury of raging Bulls

Randy Holcomb struggled with a 10-of-20 field-goal and 1-of-11 free-throw shooting but got the needed support from his local teammates as Alaska Milk got back at Red Bull, 101-90, in the Smart PBA Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum last night.

Willie Miller, Joachim Thoss, Tony dela Cruz and Jeffrey Cariaso produced double-digit outputs with LA Tenorio and John Ferriols both adding at least seven as the Aces played a well-balanced game, neutralizing the impact of Adam Parada’s solid double-double job with 27 points and 23 rebounds.

Parada had reached double-double numbers right in the opening quarter but this didn’t stop the Aces from taking control and building the momentum in avenging their 97-100 loss to the Bulls in their previous tiff.

The Aces scored their first successive wins in the season-ending tourney, improving their win-loss record to 4-6.

“At least we’re moving up. In that regard, it’s positive although our record is still very negative,” said Alaska coach Tim Cone.

“The players are starting to get our vision. The coaching staff is getting familiar with everybody and learning how to use their strengths. We have a tough schedule ahead of us, and hopefully, we can get through riding the momentum of back-to-back wins,” Cone also said.

Falling behind by 18 points, 51-69, midway through the third period, the Bulls worked on repeated comeback attempts but the best they could get was within six, 81-87.

The Aces eventually broke the back of the Bulls when Miller completed a rare four-point play off Jojo Duncil, making it 95-82 entering the last three minutes of play.

The Bulls now share the lead with the Talk n Text Phone Pals at 7-3 after suffering their first loss in their last three outings.

The Aces could have kept the Bulls from coming back if not for Holcomb’s awful 1-of-11 free-throw shooting.

“Funny but the league’s best perimeter shooting import is also the worst free throw shooter,” said Cone.

From a 51-69 deficit, the Bulls came through with a 22-11 attack in a five-minute stretch bridging the last two quarters to get back in the thick of things, 73-80.

Chris Alexander and the Ginebra locals played their best game together in five games, and the Kings clobbered the Welcoat Dragons, 105-70, in the nightcap.