The Aces, after putting behind a lackluster opening half, Friday night destroyed Barako Bull 88-64 at the Araneta Coliseum to serve notice of how fluid they are and how much better they could get for the remainder of the PBA Philippine Cup.
Alaska, after trailing 0-10, got to within four points at the end of the first period before bettering Barako Bull’s full-game offensive output by 10 in the last three quarters alone to pound out the win and join an early logjam in first place.
“They played a lot more freely in the second half,” coach Tim Cone of Alaska told scribes during the customary winning coach’s interview. “We played a very good second half on both sides of the floor.
“It was a little frustrating in the beginning,” Cone added. “I think we missed our first eight shots and shot no more than 20%. We kind of expected it (bad start), but not that bad.” No matter how bad they played, the important thing is that the Aces finished with aplomb as four players, led by Joe Devance’s 24 points, finished in twin digits for Cone and new recruit Bonbon Custodio showing his worth by chipping in nine in just 20 minutes coming off the bench.
The Aces actually fell behind by as many as 11, 20-31, with 4:25 left in the second period before truly waking up. They did so when Cone ordered his wards to abandon the Triangle Offense that has been the trademark of the Alaska game.
“These guys are so talented that I can’t ask them to play like robots,” Cone stated. “But that first half, I hope I don’t ever see that again for the rest of the conference.”
New recruit Sunday Salvacion scattered 22 points to pace the Energy Boosters, who, after that fine start, slipped back into their mediocre ways and never really contended after halftime.
San Miguel, meanwhile, was still its sharp self against Air21 later in the night, and the Beermen made sure that the debut of celebrated rookie Rabeh Al-Hussaini would turn into a sour one after a 100-86 drubbing of the Express.
Dondon Hontiveros scored 24 points and Jay Washington and Arwind Santos completed double-doubles for San Miguel, the under-achieving team of the last season who will welcome new coach Ato Agustin in two weeks’ time.
"We are in good shape," interim San Miguel coach Gee Abanilla said after calling the shots in the first of two games to give Agustin time to finish his commitments with San Sebastian in the NCAA. "We're still a work in progress though, but the players are coming out fine." Hussaini had a respectable personal debut with 16 points and 11 boards, but it was still clear that the Express, as a whole, were not in the class of the Beermen with so many others in the lineup struggling.
Air21’s woes were compounded for the game when No. 1 overall choice Nonoy Baclao failed to suit up after straining his knee in practice Wednesday afternoon.
Wesley Gonzales led the Express with 19 points in 23 minutes coming off the bench, and Wynne Arboleda tossed in 13 ans JR Quinahan 10 and 13 rebounds.
Santos, who has been contending for the season MVP award the last three seasons, tossed in 19 points and cleared 10 boards, while Washington, who got into a scuffle with Erick Rodriguez inside the final minute, had 14 markers and 13 boards.
Meanwhile, Powerade seeks to claim the early pace when the Tigers battle Barangay Ginebra in the tournament’s first out-of-town game in Batangas at 5 p.m. Saturday.
The Tigers scored a 111-103 pasting of Rain or Shine last Wednesday and would want to keep the Gin Kings winless in two games. Ginebra took a 72-73 nipping at the hands of newcomer Meralco in the inaugurals.
