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Alaska, NLEX win in PBA Governor’s Cup kickoff double-header

By Ivan Stewart Saldajeno

December 8, 2021, 8:06 pm

MANILA – Alaska hung on despite a late surge from NorthPort for an 87-85 win at the start of the PBA Governors' Cup on Wednesday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

Robbie Herndon helped save the day for the Aces after scoring on a mid-range jumper with 30.1 seconds left as the Aces won despite a late charge from new Batang Pier player Arwind Santos.

Seemingly ahead by a comfortable 10-point margin, 79-69, with 5:41 left, Alaska found itself witnessing Santos' late show after he drained 12 straight points sparked by three straight triples that cut the lead down to two, 83-81, with exactly 100 seconds remaining.

Herndon momentarily gave the team some breathing room after making a split from the free-throw line, but Greg Slaughter scored four consecutive points including a go-ahead tip-in with 39 seconds left that put NorthPort up, 85-84.

Herndon then drove to the basket and drilled the turnaround jump shot that put the Aces back ahead, 86-85.

Robert Bolick, with shot-clock winding down, opted for a long three-pointer that only hit the back iron, and Alaska was able to use up 10 seconds before Bolick fouled Jeron Teng.

Teng split his charities off the foul for the final tally even as Bolick tried a half-court heave that likewise rimmed out as time expired.

Olu Ashaolu put up 20 points, 14 rebounds, one assist, and three steals in his first game as an Ace.

Teng added 19 points, four rebounds, three assists, and one block.

Santos finished with 23 points, seven rebounds, one assist, three steals, and four blocks off the bench for the Batang Pier.

Cameron Forte and Greg Slaughter each chipped in 18 markers while finishing with a double-double each after grabbing 15 and 11 boards, respectively.

NLEX clobbers SMB

In the second game, NLEX bucked a slow start and took down a new-look San Miguel squad with a 114-102 rout to begin its Governors' Cup campaign on the right note.

Despite a hot game from Brandon Brown and a solid outing from Vic Manuel in their first game as Beermen, the Road Warriors never wavered and controlled the game in the final three quarters.

While Brown took charge for SMB in the first quarter en route to a 28-22 lead, NLEX seized control of the game in the next two quarters as the locals stepped up for KJ McDaniels, who struggled in his first game as a Road Warrior.

NLEX outscored SMB, 64-49, starting from the second quarter to build a 86-77 lead going into the fourth period.

Despite going 10-for-30 from the field, McDaniels still led the Road Warriors in scoring with 27 points alongside 11 rebounds, six assists, two steals, and one block.

Kevin Alas and Don Trollano each added 12 points.

Brown finished with 36 points, 13 rebounds, three assists, and two steals for the Beermen.

June Mar Fajardo added 20 points on 8-for-12 shooting, 10 rebounds, one assist, and two steals.

Manuel had 17 markers on 7-of-12 shooting, seven boards, two dimes, and one block, while Simon Enciso only had two points, two caroms, and one interception in their first game with SMB.

The Scores:

First Game

NLEX 114 – McDaniels 27, Alas 12, Trollano 12, Paniamogan 11, Quinahan 10, Cruz 10, Rosales 9, Magat 8, Oftana 7, Semerad 5, Miranda 3,

SAN MIGUEL 102 – Brown 36, Fajardo 20, Manuel 17, Perez 11, Lassiter 7, Romeo 6, Tautuaa 2, Enciso 2, Pessumal 1, Gamalinda 0

QUARTERS: 22-28, 52-49, 86-77, 114-102 

Second Game

ALASKA 87 – Ashaolu 20, Teng 19, Herndon 13, Taha 8, Ahanmisi 7, Tratter 6, Tolomia 6, DiGregorio 5, Racal 3, Brondial 0

NORTHPORT 85 – Santos 23, Forte 18, Slaughter 18, Malonzo 10, Bolick 8, Rike 5, Taha 2, Doliguez 1, Elorde 0, Balanza 0, Grey 0, Ferrer 0

QUARTERS: 19-18, 41-39, 68-60, 87-85 (PNA)

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