MANILA – Alaska started the game wide open and never looked back enroute to an 87-69 victory against Meralco on Sunday to enter the semifinals of the PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
With their victory, the Aces arranged best-of-five semifinals showdown against the Elasto Painters who earned outright slot in the Final Four.
Alaska was up 27-12 after the first quarter and stretched the lead further to 47-25 at the half.
The Bolts rallied but only to cut the lead to just 13 points.
Vic Manuel led the Aces with 17 points and nine rebounds while John Wilson topscored for Meralco with 16 markers to no avail.
”If you started the game with more half of the score of your opponent, you have a good chance of winning. Meralco came back but we have good first half,” coach Alex Compton of the Aces said.
Against the Elasto Painters, Component expects great series with his players promising to give their best against Rain or Shine.
The scores:
ALASKA 87 – Manuel 17, Baguio 15, Hontiveros 13, Casio 11, Banchero 8, Abueva 5, Jazul 5, Exciminiano 4, Dela Cruz 4, Menk 3, Dela Rosa 2, Eman 0, Thoss 0.
MERALCO 69 – Wilson 16, Anthony 11, Cortez 11, David 8, Caram 7, Hodge 5, Macapagal 4, Buenafe 3, Dillinger 2, Hugnatan 2, Ildefonso 0, Ferriols 0, Sena 0, Guevarra 0.
Quarterscores: 27-12, 47-25, 64-50, 87-69.