MANILA, Philippines -- Alaska Milk pulled away early then put in enough effort to survive 30 errors and 17 missed free throws in a 98-94 win over Mahindra in the Smart Bro PBA Philippine Cup at the Al Wasl Sports Club in Dubai Friday (early Saturday in Manila).
Jvee Casio, Vic Manuel and Calvin Abueva delivered the crucial baskets at the finish as the Aces warded off Mahindra’s late charge to catch up with Rain or Shine in the lead with their identical 3-0 win-loss slate.
Mahindra fell to 0-3.
Alaska plays Barangay Ginebra at the same venue Saturday night with the Aces having a chance at grabbing the solo lead.
Meanwhile, NLEX also shoots for a third straight win on Sunday as it squares off with the Star Hotshots at the resumption of the tourney at home over at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
The Road Warriors and the Hotshots face off at 5:15 p.m. succeeding the 3 p.m. tussle between Globalport and Barako Bull, two teams both eyeing a second win in three games.
The Batang Pier and the Energy are coming off morale-boosting triumphs. Globalport upended Star, 101-94, on Oct. 30 while Barako shocked Barangay Ginebra, 82-79.
The PBA holds four straight double-headers at the Philsports Arena, formerly Ultra, from today to Nov. 15.
Over in Dubai, the Aces banked on the exploits of Casio, Manuel and Abueva to overcome the gritty challenge of the Enforcers in an error-strewn match.
Clutch buckets at endgame capped double-digit outputs by the trio.
Manuel top scored with 17 points while Abueva logged double-double numbers with 15 points and 13 rebounds both off the bench. Casio tallied 12 markers, two assists, one rebound and one steal.
Importantly, the three players rose to the occasion as the Enforcers fought back from a 15-point deficit and drew even at 87 with 1:27 left on a fadeaway shot by Aldrech Ramos.
LA Revilla led all scorers with 19 points, Mark Yee came through with his own double-double game with 17 markers and 13 boards while Bradwyn Guinto collected 19 rebounds – the most by any rookie in the last two years.
Ramos and KG Canaleta contributed 12 points apiece for playing coach Manny Pacquiao who started but failed to score a basket, missing two attempts from the arc, two from the two-point zone, and committing two turnovers 6:55 minutes of action.
Both teams turned the ball over 30 times, with Mahindra pounding Alaska, 29-19, on points off errors.
The Aces, however, built an early big cushion to survive a scrambling finish.
They carried a 13-point lead, 53-40, over into the second half.
They had earlier wins over the Talk n Text Tropang Texters and the Blackwater Elite in the tourney where they finished second to the San Miguel Beermen last season.
The scores:
ALASKA 98 – Manuel 17, Abueva 15, Casio 12, Baguio 8, Thoss 7, Dela Rosa 7, Menk 7, Dela Cruz 6, Hontiveros 6, Jazul 5, Banchero 4, Magat 4, Baclao 0, Exciminiano 0.
MAHINDRA 94 – Revilla 19, Yee 17, Canaleta 12, Ramos 12, Bagatsing 8, Guinto 6, Pinto 5, Paredes 5, Laure 4, Hubalde 4, Webb 2, Pacquiao 0, Baloria 0, Alvarez 0.
Quarters: 31-22, 53-40, 70-66, 98-94