Alaska keeps finding new ways to win this year.
The Aces picked up their sixth straight victory in the 2018 PBA Philippine Cup, frustrating the Globalport Batang Pier in overtime, 105-98, Sunday at the Ynares Center here.
Down 13, the Aces roared in the fourth period and even had the chance to win outright in regulation.
However, after Stanley Pringle forced extra time, Alaska still managed to hang tough in the additional five minutes to improve to 6-2, good for at least second place in the standings after today.
"We're so fortunate to come away with this. Hats off to the players, they didn't give up, they kept going," head coach Alex Compton said.
"May halong gigil. It felt like to me, we want to win in every first pass. We're gigil to attack," he added.
Alaska trailed, 62-75, late in the third period, but behind a balanced effort, was able to regain control in the final 12 minutes.
In fact, the Aces were on top, 93-91, before Pringle nailed a driving layup to tie things up with eight seconds remaining.
Come overtime, both teams were still tied at 96 before Vic Manuel took over for the Aces, connecting on back-to-back clutch shots as Alaska started to slowly break away.
Manuel led the Aces in scoring, going for 21 points while Jvee Casio and Chris Banchero added 16 points apiece. Birthday boy Calvin Abueva had 12 points and 12 rebounds.
For Global, now back to below. 500 with a 3-4 mark, got 28 points from Stanley Pringle on top of eight rebounds and six assists.
Sean Anthony had 21 points and 14 boards while Kelly Nabong was good for 15 points and 12 rebounds.
The scores:
Alaska (105): Manuel 21, Banchero 16, Casio 16, Abueva 12, Teng 11, Thoss 8, Racal 6, Pascual 5, Cruz 4, Enciso 3, Exciminiano 2, Potts 1, Baclao 0
Globalport (98): Pringle 28, Anthony 21, Nabong 15, Grey 10, Guinto 8, Elorde 5, Sargent 5, Taha 4, Gabayni 2, Flores 0, Juico 0, Arana 0
Quarter scores: 20-26, 43-48, 65-75, 93-93, 105-98
SOURCE: http://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/02/04/18/pba-alaska-wins-6th-straight-after-frustrating-globalport-in-ot
