Aces speed past Hotshots for third championship game of 2018 PBA Governor’s Cup

Mike Harris led his team at 36 points, nine of them from straight triples during the third quarter, even converting one shot into a four-point play. (File Photo: PBA/Facebook)

The Alaska Aces refused to go down to a 0-3 standing against the Magnolia Hotshots in the best-of-seven championship series for the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governor’s Cup, handing their opponents their worst finals loss in finals history at 100-71 last Sunday, December 9 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

Mike Harris led his team at 36 points, nine of them from straight triples during the third quarter, even converting one shot into a four-point play. He was aided by teammates Vic Manuel and Simon Enciso, who scored 14 and 12 points respectively. Import Romeo Travis was the highest scorer for Magnolia, contributing a total of 18 points, but only he and teammate Mark Barroca, contributed double digits – Barroca providing a total of 13 on the Hotshots’ scoreboard. For the top-scorer of the game Harris, he said that he’s “very fortunate to finally hit some outside shots,” referring to this breakout game to be thanks to his teammates, stating, “They know what I’m capable of, and they just told me to keep shooting. Today was just one of those days.”

Aces Head Coach Alex Compton attributed their win to “great defense” and “made shots,” saying, “Overall, the story of the game in the first three quarters was we made a bunch of shots and we didn’t turn the ball over.” At the first half alone, Compton’s team already built a 50-36 advantage. The Filipino-born American basketball player-turned-coach looks forward to their next challenge, saying he “guarantees there won’t be another game like this,” concluding, “[Magnolia] is too good, too well-coached, too talented. And we just made some shots. I expect Game 4 to be a lot more like Game 2,” referring to the second game of the series where they lost 77-71. They’re currently at a 1-2 standing, Magnolia, also victorious in the finals starter with the score ending at 100-84.

Alaska and Magnolia will go head-to-head again for Game 4 on Wednesday, December 12 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.