Aces defang erratic Tigers

Alaska Milk found Coca-Cola an easy prey in their rematch, carving out a 99-83 rout that fortified its bid for top finish in the KFC PBA Philippine Cup double-round elimination phase at the Araneta Coliseum last night.

The Aces pounced on the Tigers’ erratic game, leading by as many as 28 points en route to the lopsided victory that moved the team closer to an outright entry into the quarterfinals.

The Tigers groped for form minus ace playmaker Alex Cabagnot, enabling the Aces to re-establish a huge two-game lead over their nearest pursuers in the race for top honors in the elims.

Alaska improved its win-loss record to 10-4 with San Miguel Beer and Rain or Shine tied for second at 8-6.

“We’ve been fortunate getting to play opponents minus a key player and get to take advantage of those opportunities,” said Alaska coach Tim Cone.

“The big thing tonight is that they’re without Alex Cabagnot. He’s a great decision-maker. If Alex’s there, it would have been very tough to do that,” Cone said.

Cabagnot sat out the game due to a bruised right knee. Without him, the Tigers committed 26 turnovers and tumbled to their ninth loss against five wins. Coca-Cola averaged only 19 errors per outing before the game.

The Aces swooped down on the Tigers’ scrambling game from the start, taking the opening quarter at 27-15 and enjoying double-digit spreads all the way to the finish.

“It’s a good response for us after a loss. Sta. Lucia took it to us (in our last game) and we wanted to come out with a higher intensity. We did that by jumping from the get-go and doing a good job keeping the pedal down, except in the final stretch where we lost some energy,” said Cone.

“We did well defending against Asi (Taulava) and in covering their shooters,” Cone said.

LA Tenorio, Joe De Vance, Willie Miller, Jeffrey Cariaso and Larry Fonacier all scored in double figures with Reynel Hugnatan and Tony dela Cruz contributing eight points apiece as Alaska duplicated its 69-62 win over Coca-Cola in their previous meeting.

Cariaso had 14 points, three rebounds and three assists in his return from a one-game layoff due to a pulled hamstring.

Taulava couldn’t carry his team to victory despite 20 points and 15 rebounds — his eighth double-double outing in the tourney.

The Coca-Cola behemoth is one four players averaging a double-double in the tourney, the three others being Kelly Williams, Jay Washington and Ranidel de Ocampo.