Best Player: Diamon Simpson with 15 points and 19 rebounds #PBACommsCup #PBALabanKungLaban” (Photo: PBA/Facebook)
Only days after the Aces were able to find their way to the number eight spot of the quarterfinals by beating the Meralco Bolts, they force a do-or-die game against the KaTropa as import Diamon Simpson led the way with 15 points, 19 rebounds, four blocks, and four assists. Jeron Teng had a double-double as well at 15 points and 11 rebounds, while Simon Enciso and Chris Banchero contributed 14 points each. Vic Manuel also had double-digit scoring with 13 points, while Carl Bryan Cruz scored 11.
Talk N’ Text import Terrence Jones set the pace for his team at 19 points, six rebounds, and three blocks, but committed seven turnovers and was flagged with a penalty after a flagrant one foul during the third quarter by pushing Cruz on the ground. Jayson Castro was the highest scorer of the team at 23 points, but other than Jones, the rest of his teammates were not able to find their rhythm. According to PBA statistics chief Fidel Mangonon, this match is the team’s worst loss in franchise history.
Alaska head coach Alex Compton admitted he “definitely didn’t see that (win) coming,” revealing, “I think a big part of it is [the KaTropa] missed shots they normally make. These games happen. They happen to great teams and Talk ‘N Text is a great team.” He continued, “I thought our entire coaching staff, top to bottom, really helped me prepare a game plan that worked tonight.”
Looking ahead of their do-or-die match against the KaTropa next Wednesday, July 24 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, Compton continued, “You’re not gonna hear a lot of celebrating on our side. What we earned for ourselves is a chance to play a well-coached, disciplined team on Wednesday after a bad loss. So we’re gonna have to be absolutely great.”