Milkmen manhandle 800s

Alaska Milk easily made it two in a row versus Pop Cola as the Milkmen warmed up for the coming Alaxan PBA All-Filipino Cup quarterfinals with an 81-71 rout of the 800s at the Philsports Arena last night.

Though its No. 3 seeding in the quarters had been secured, Alaska nonetheless played without letup, closing out its elimination-round stint with a 10-4 win-loss mark on a second straight win under the court-generalship of Johnny Abarrientos.

Alaska actually caught San Miguel Beer at second behind Tanduay Rhum (12-2) at the end of the elims but the Milkmen settled for third on an inferior quotient.

Abarrientos went scoreless for the second time this season but he directed plays and most of the Alaska key players piled up their usual numbers as it repeated its 89-71 demolition of Pop Cola in their first meeting on March 12, sending the 800s to a 6-8 (win-loss) finish in the elims.

Alaska and Pop Cola meet in the quarterfinals, with the former enjoying a twice-to-beat edge in their matchup if Barangay Ginebra gains a playoff with a win over Mobiline in their game which was still being played at presstime.

"I think Johnny is only 90 percent healthy and he's struggling mentally with his game. He's missing his shots but the important thing is that he's running our game pretty well and our turnovers have gone down with him around," said Alaska coach Tim Cone of Abarrientos.

Abarrientos, indeed, orchestrated their plays efficiently in all 28 minutes he saw action on the court, and the Milkmen responded just well as they dominated the 800s, holding a huge lead most of the way.

They raced to a 21-10 lead after the first 12 minutes of play, took a 41-25 cushion at halftime and led by as many as 25 points, 55-30, before completing the emphatic triumph.

"I had a feeling they won't come out hard at us and I don't know why. Maybe, they want to meet us in the quarters or they want to take a rest in the next playdate," said Cone of Pop Cola.

But whatever, Pop Cola came out with a fumbling game, shooting only 33 percent from the field as it let Alaska rip the game open right in the first half. The 800s also committed 18 first-half turnovers and a total of 26 in all.

Kenneth Duremdes, Rodney Santos, Bong Hawkins and Poch Juinio all scored in double figures s they led the Alaska onslaught. James Wallkvist added eight points that went with 11 rebounds and three assists.

Ali Peek paced the 800s with 21 points and 14 rebounds. -