Aces pull Elite back to earth, snap own skid

MANILA, Philippines -- Alaska Milk came out strong from the All-Star break, arresting a three-game skid and closing the playoffs door on Barako Bull with a dominant 82-68 victory at the resumption of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo Wednesday night.

The Aces played well as a team despite the absence of chief playmaker Jvee Casio, drawing a huge double-double game from Damion James and significant help from Chris Banchero, Chris Exciminiano and Dondon Hontiveros as they eased past the Elite for their third win against five losses.

Obviously doing their assignment under assistant coach Louie Alas while head coach Alex Compton attended his duties in the All-Star Weekend in Palawan, the Aces knocked out the Elite in the playoffs race in handing them a seventh loss in nine outings.

Blackwater plays its last two games in the tourney versus Rain or Shine on March 20 and against Meralco on March 25.

“That’s not the level of basketball we’re playing last conference but we won on a good defense,” said Compton.

“And at least we had most of out guys. We’re getting better. We’re still far from the top. We’ve got to keep playing better,” added Compton after nailing a first win after successive losses to Rain or Shine, Barako Bull and Kia.

James, a replacement to DJ Covington, tasted a first victory in the local pro league while producing 29 points and 22 rebounds.

Hontiveros, skipping their last game against Kia and the Palawan All-Star festivities in attending a personal matter, marked his comeback in stringing up crucial three-pointers that helped Alaska break away for good at the start of the fourth quarter.

The Cebuano hotshot, missing what could have been a 12th All-Star Game, contributed nine points all from beyond the arc in the payoff period.

Banchero and Exciminiano chipped in 12 and 10, respectively, for the Aces who opened a 13-point lead early in the second quarter then sustained a steady game, leading by 19 at 81-62.

James rattled in 10 straight points in a 14-3 exchange that had the Aces breaking away from a 67-59 lead.

Curiously, All-Star players Calvin Abueva and Cyrus Baguio weren’t able to contribute much for Alaska with the former scoring just seven markers and the latter winding up with a fat zero.

Blackwater was a shell of its form in its 115-104 whipping of Kia the last time out.

Not helping was gunner Val Acuna sustaining a nasty cut on the left eyebrow in a collision with Abueva in the second quarter, and missing the rest of the game.

Carrying the load for Blackwater were Marcus Douthit, Ralph Reyes, Bam Gamalinda and Eddie Laure who combined for 51 points.