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Alaska snaps two-game skid, rips Ginebra to keep playoff hopes alive
The Alaska Aces remained within reach of a shot at a quarterfinal seat after an 89-75 victory over the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Friday in the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup at the DHVSU Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.
Abu Tratter led the Aces with 13 points and four rebounds while 10 markers each from Maverick Ahanmisi and Jeron Teng helped the team improve to a 3-4 card following a long layoff.
The backcourt duo of Stanley Pringle and Scottie Thompson, meanwhile, carried the load for the defending champions after the two cagers combined for 37 points.
Thompson added 12 rebounds and two assists as Ginebra is now in a dangerous position at 4-6.
"I commend our team and the coaching staff for having the mental effort inside the bubble. I think it's unmatched how we prepared for Ginebra today," said Tratter in the post-game interview.
"We had the mental focus and the coaches made sure we had meetings to make sure that we're healthy mentally and prepared for this game physically."
Alaska was on target from the get-go, grabbing 43 while limiting Ginebra to only 25 points at halftime, which has now emerged as the lowest first half points by any team since Rain or Shine's 23 against Alaska last July 28.
Pringle, though, gave some signs of daylight for Ginebra after igniting for a personal 11-7 run, which included two triples, to make it a 56-41 affair with Alaska still leading.
Tratter then split on the charity lane but still brought their lead to its biggest, 64-41, before Thompson made five-straight points to trim Ginebra deficit to 14, 66-52, as they entered the payoff period.
Tratter notched four points as part of their 13-5 run to open the final quarter, 79-57. Ginebra converted some baskets after that in an attempt to salvage the game but the Aces simply had an answer for everything.
"It feels really good to be back, playing again. It feels better. We're here for a reason and all teams are here for a reason," said Alaska head coach Jeff Cariaso, whose team took a week-long break after being placed under the league's protocol.
Due to their break, however, Alaska is facing a grueling schedule ahead as it will face top seed TNT on Saturday and Terrafirma on Sunday.
"Today we survived and then tomorrow is another battle that we're going to face."
The scores:
Alaska (89) - Tratter 13, Digregorio 11, Ahanmisi 10, Herndon 10, Teng 10, Brondial 9, Banal 8, Marcelino 8, Casio 6, Adamos 4, Ilagan 0, Ebona 0.
Ginebra (75) - Pringle 20, Thompson 17, Standhardinger 9, Tenorio 8, Ayaay 7, Mariano 6, Devance 4, Dillinger 2, Tolentino 2, R. Aguilar 0, Caperal 0.
Quarterscores: 23-8, 43-25, 66-52, 89-75
—JMB, GMA News
