CEBU - Alaska Milk encountered little problem in topping Red Bull, 89-83, last night to seize the solo lead in the KFC PBA Philippine Cup at the JCSGO Gym in Cubao, Quezon City.
The Aces played steady almost throughout, enjoying an 18-point lead twice in the second half before holding off a Red Bull chase at endgame in nailing a third win in as many starts in the season-opening all-Filipino tourney.
The Bulls started flat and struggled with a poor free-throw shooting all game long as they remained winless in three games.
Willie Miller, Reynel Hugnatan and Jeffrey Cariaso delivered the baskets scuttling the Bulls’ bid to steal the game at the finish.
The Bulls went to Carlo Sharma, Gabby Espinas and Cyrus Baguio as they staged a rally from a 53-71 deficit, coming within one at 81-82 with 3:30 left to play.
But Alaska was hardly fazed.
The Aces executed their plays with precision down the stretch to complete the victory coming after earlier wins over more fancied rivals the San Miguel Beermen and the Coca-Cola Tigers.
Alaska played a well-balanced offense with Miller, Hugnatan, LA Tenorio, Joe Devance, John Ferriols, Tony dela Cruz and Larry Fonacier all finishing with at least nine points. Hugnatan wound up with a double-game as he also pulled down 11 rebounds.
Rookie Larry Rodriguez had his own double-double showing with 19 points and 15 rebounds for Red Bull.
The Aces started the game with a 10-2 run and raced to a 45-29 spread at the half.
The scores:
Alaska 89 — Miller 13, Hugnatan 12, Tenorio 11, Devance 10, Ferriols 10, Dela Cruz 9, Fonacier 9, Thoss 6, Cariaso 6, Borboran 3.
Red Bull 83 — Rodriguez 19, Baguio 18, Espinas 13, Sharma 10, Duncil 7, Cruz 6, Chan 5, Najorda 4, Hubalde 1, Alvarez 0, Hrabak 0, Ybanez 0.
Quarterscores: 23-11, 45-29, 71-59, 89-83 (THE FREEMAN)