by Waylon Galvez
Games Wednesday (Ynares Sports Center, Antipolo City)
4:30 p.m. – GlobalPort vs Blackwater
7 p.m. – NLEX vs Rain or Shine
Veteran forward Vic Manuel scored a career-best 27 points on 13-of-18 shooting from the field while Alaska reinforcement Antonio Campbell added 23 points and 19 rebounds as Alaska improved its record to 1-1.
They lost to Rain or Shine last Friday.
“They (Elite) took it to us, they were awesome in the third quarter,” said Compton. “They deserved to come back. That was great heart for them, for a team that is struggling (this conference).”
“But I got two words that changed the fourth quarter and that’s Calvin Abueva,” Compton said of the 6-foot-2 forward nicknamed “The Beast.”
“He played, I can’t describe. He played exactly what we’re looking for. He helped us on the rebounds, he got the loose ball, and he got a lot of shots for his teammates. He made so many extra unselfish plays that as coaches we love,” he added.
Abueva finished with only three points, missing all 10 attempts from the field, but collared 10 rebounds and added six assists, two steals and two shot blocks in nearly 24 minutes of action.
The Aces grabbed an early 27-11 lead and posted their biggest lead, 49-19, on a layup by Kevin Racal late in the second period.
The team was up, 54-29, at halftime.
The Elite rallied with a big 27-12 third quarter run that trimmed Alaska’s lead to 66-56 entering the final period.
A three-point shot by Dave Marcelo made it just a seven-point game, 66-59.
Manuel capped an 18-5 run with a layup as the Aces restored a 20-point lead 84-64 with 5:08 to play.
Blackwater was led by import Jarrid Famous who had 27 points and 21 rebounds. JP Erram was the only other player to score in double digits with 11 points as the Elite fell to 0-3.
Meanwhile, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) named an all-PBA squad to the 2018 FIBA 3X3 World Cup set June 8-12 at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.
SBP president Al Panlilio said Gilas Pilipinas mainstays Troy Rosario and RR Pogoy will team up with Fil-German Christian Standhardinger and Stanley Pringle.
Former PBA star Ronnie Magsanoc has been appointed coach.
“I’d like to really say that the 3×3 is a focused sport of the SBP,” said Panlilio, who represents Meralco in the PBA board. “Napaka-importante para sa ating bansa na tumutok sa 3×3 because it’s an Olympic sport.”
“We’re excited as we prepare for the World Cup. We at the SBP, we’re really preparing hard for this. I’d like to thank the PBA – in partnership with the SBP – for giving us the best players,” added Panlilio.
The country is in Group C with Russia, Brazil, Canada and Mongolia.
The scores:
ALASKA 93 – Manuel 27, Campbell 23, Enciso 7, Exciminiano 7, Magat 6, Teng 5, Racal 5, Baclao 4, Abueva 3, Banchero 2, Thoss 2, Casio 2, Galliguez 0.
BLACKWATER 74 – Famous 27, Erram 11, DiGregorio 9, Sumang 9, Belo 5, Sena 4, Marcelo 4, Banal 2, Maliksi 2, Jose 1, Cruz 0, Palma 0, Pinto 0.
Quarters: 27-11, 54-29, 66-56, 93-74.