Alaska spoils Macklin debut to keep Ginebra winless

MANILA, Philippines – The Alaska Aces rode on a big second half surge as they remained unbeaten and dealt the Brgy. Ginebra Kings their third straight loss, 84-69, Saturday night at the Mindanao Convention Center in Tubod, Lanao del Norte.

The Aces used a 7-1 run to close the third quarter that killed the Kings’ fiery fiery rally anchored by their new import Vernon Macklin, who replaced Herbert Hill.

With Macklin providing the energy from his rim-rattling dunks, the Kings chopped down the Aces’ double-digit spread to just one, 53-54, with more than three minutes left in the third canto. But it proved to be Ginebra’s final stand as Alaska dominated the final 15 minutes to keep the solo spot with its fourth straight win.

The Aces built a couple of dozen leads, the last at 35-23, early in the game with the Kings struggling to find their groove in Macklin’s league debut.  But it did not take long for Macklin, the second round draft choice by the Detroit Pistons  in 2011, to show flashes of brilliance as he rallied the Kings to within one in the third canto.

Macklin’s Alaska counterpart Robert Dozier, however, pumped in five of his game-high 21 points in the next two Aces’ possessions for a 59-53 buffer.  The Kings never got closer than eight in the final frame as they remained winless in the tournament.

ALASKA 84 – Dozier 21, Thoss 16, Espinas 10, Jazul 9, Hontiveros 8, Baguio 8, Abueva 6, Casio 4, Dela Cruz 2, Reyes 0.

GINEBRA 69 – Caguioa 20, Macklin 16, Tenorio 8, Ellis 7, Raymundo 6, Mamaril 4, Helterbrand 4, Hatfield 2, Labagala 2, Taha 0, Labagala 0, Baracael 0, Jensen 0.

Quarters: 23-17, 43-39, 61-54, 84-69