MANILA – Alaska began the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) season with a huge statement by taking down Blackwater, 103-77, at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig on Friday.
The Aces caught fire in the third quarter, outscoring the Bossing, 32-18, to go up, 71-57, entering the fourth period.
Behind the heroics of Mike Tolomia, Blackwater tried to crawl back and cut the lead down to six, 76-70, with 8:09 left.
But back-to-back triples from Mike Digregorio and Jvee Casio completely doused Blackwater's last gasp even as Digregorio continued to spark in the endgame to help Alaska pull away for good.
Digregorio finished with 20 points on 8-of-12 shooting, five rebounds, and two assists off the bench to lead the Aces, who posted the biggest winning margin in a season opener since TNT, then known as Mobiline, also won by 26 points against Tanduay, 90-64, to start the 1999 season.
Yousef Taha added 16 markers, seven boards, three dimes, and one block off the bench.
Simon Enciso put up 23 points, one carom, and three assists for the Bossing but was held to just four points in the second half. (PNA)
