CEBU, Philippines - Fighting with a wounded pride, the Alaska Aces got even with the M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Niño, 87-75, in their rematch the other night at the full-packed Don Celestino Martinez, Sr. Memorial Coliseum in Bogo City.
More than their determination to seek payback against the Niños, the Aces were lucky enough that almost all players who were fielded in by M. Lhuillier coach Raul "Yayoy" D. Alcoseba had an off-night save for Haffer Mondragon who netted 15 points.
Although they were upbeat before the game, the poor showing of the Niños may be attributed to the absence of their top playmaker Woodrow Enriquez, who is now on the road to recovery after undergoing a cervical spine surgery following a bad fall during their first game with Alaska last Friday night at the USC-Main gym.
Import Diamond Simpson topped Alaska with 32 points, while Sonny Thoss and Samigue Eman chipped in 11 and 10 markers, respectively.
The scores
Alaska (87) – Simpson 32, Thoss 11, Eman 10, Fonacier 7, Hugnatan 7, Borboran 5, Dela Cruz 4, Tenorio 3, Burtscher 2, Ferriols 2
M. Lhuillier (75) – Mondragon 15, Forte 14, Ababon 10, Mepaña 6, Poligrates 6, Cruz 5, Dacia 5, Padilla 5, Magsumbol 3. – Caecent No-ot Magsumbol (THE FREEMAN)