MANILA, 6 March 2006 — Jong Uichico could be scratching his head in regret. At least for now.
Uichico’s San Miguel side fell with a loud thud against Alaska at the start of the PBA Philippine Cup last night, the first tournament he and the Beermen were without a vital ingredient in their success of late — Nic Belasco.
Belasco matched his career-high with 30 points for Alaska, hitting all but six of 18 shots from the field, to lead the Aces to a 103-90 victory over his team the last six years which shipped him out for younger legs in the off-season.
The 6-foot-7 Fil-American, who entered the league through the disbanded Pop Cola franchise late in the last decade, scorched his former team at will as Alaska shared opening day honors with Coca-Cola.
The Tigers broke away in a stretch that bridged the final two periods to post a 104-83 thumping of Air21 for an auspicious start to the tournament many consider to be the most prestigious. Belasco is seeing action for the third team in his career, transferring to the Aces after San Miguel swapped him for young, energetic guard Brandon Cablay.
It was a deal many saw to be for the long-term for San Miguel, whose backcourt led by Olsen Racela is not getting any younger, and one which could have an immediate impact for the Aces.
And Belasco proved that right from the get-go as Alaska raced off to double digit leads early before weathering a torrid San Miguel comeback in the third quarter to win with plenty to spare.
Cablay, who saw action for 28 minutes, looked like he struggled with the San Miguel rotation, finishing with only three points in a backup job to Racela. The 6-foot-1 former winner of the slam dunk tournament took only four shots and made just one.
“It (win) was a nice way to start the tournament,” Alaska coach Tim Cone said. “And it was a nice way for Nic to announce his coming to this team.”
Belasco was on the floor for 33 minutes and got the offensive help from Don Allado, who tossed in 20 markers, Tony Dela Cruz and reserve small forward Willie Wilson, who both finished with twin digits for a combined 24 points.
Danny Seigle led the Beermen with 25 points. Forward Dondon Hontiveros chipped in with 19 for the Beermen, who got to within 61-59 in the third period but clearly did not have the offensive firepower to keep in step with Alaska the rest of the way.
John Arigo, a streaky shooter, paced Coca-Cola with 28 points and Ali Peek added 21 as the Tigers, who failed to advance past the eliminations in each of the last two conferences, turned the tables on the Express.
Ren-Ren Ritualo did score 29 points to lead all Air21 shooters, but the next best scorer was Yancy De Ocampo with 11 and starting point guard Wynne Arboleda held to just three markers.
