Alaska Aces hold off Bolts for first win

Alaska shrugged off the repeated comeback attempts of Meralco in the fourth quarter to secure a 103-98 victory to arrest a 0-2 start Wednesday night in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Calvin Abueva and Vic Manuel scored 19 points apiece, Chris Banchero had 13 points while Kevin Racal hit a crucial triple late to help the Aces erase the bitter memory of losing their opening assignments against the Magnolia Hotshots and TNT KaTropa.

It was only Alaska’s fourth win in the last 22 games since last season’s Commissioner’s Cup.

Chris Newsome had 23 points while KG Canaleta scored 16 on the night he became the 83rd player to reach the 5,000-point plateau, but the Bolts dropped their second in a row after opening the conference with a victory over the Blackwater Elite.



Canaleta’s joined the elite company with a corner triple, putting Meralco behind by four, 90-86, with 2:23 remaining in the fourth quarter. But Racal immediately knocked down a three on the ensuing play, giving Alaska the needed cushion.

Scores:
ALASKA 103 – Abueva 19, Manuel 19, Banchero 13, Teng 8, Casio 8, Racal 8, J. Pascual 7, Enciso 7, Thoss 5, Potts 4, Exciminiano 3, Cruz 2.

MERALCO 98 – Newsome 23, Canaleta 16, Amer 15, Bono 9, Dillinger 8, Hugnatan 8, Baracael 6, Caram 6, Lanete 5, Ballesteros 2, Tolomia 0.

Quarters: 26-16, 53-39, 78-71, 103-98.

SOURCE: https://sports.mb.com.ph/2018/01/11/pba-aces-hold-off-bolts-for-first-win/