Locals hand Aces first victory in six starts

CEBU – Ron Riley made a so-so debut but the local Alaska crew rose to the occasion as the Aces finally barged into the win-column of the PBA Governors Cup with a 96-92 overtime victory over the Tanduay Rhum Masters at the Cebu Coliseum here last night.

Behind the exploits of Ali Peek, Don Allado and Rodney Santos, the Aces overcame a poor start and the mediocre game of Riley, beating the Rhum Masters in a tight finish for their first win in six starts in the season-ending tournament.

Peek more than held his ground against the returning Eric Menk, coming away with 20 points, including big baskets in overtime, while Santos and Allado combined for 29 points, including crucial baskets fuelling their fiery chase and a breakaway in the third and fourth quarters.

Actually, not only Menk but also Jeffrey Cariaso and Jason Webb returned to the Tanduay fold but Alaska just wouldn’t be denied of the win in the Air Philippines-backed PBA road game.

Alaska, which lost its first three games with Sean Chambers as import and the next two with Dexter Boney in tow, came out of the rut and drew level with its victim at 1-5.

The Aces bungled a chance to win the game in regulation play when Billy Tomas intercepted a pass by Santos to Kenneth Duremdes, then scored on a breakaway layup to force the overtime.

Santos later atoned for his error with two free throws, icing Alaska’s victory at 95-92 with time down to 12 seconds in the extension play.

Earlier, Santos fired bombs from afar in a stirring closing run by the Aces in the third quarter that pushed them ahead at 60-58. They trailed by seven, 34-41, at halftime.

Meanwhile, Sta. Lucia Realty, already assured of a slot in the quarterfinals, presses its bid for the Magic Four as it seeks a seventh straight win against Talk N Text at the Philsports Arena today.

Defending champion San Miguel Beer hopes to check its skid when it takes on Shell in the first game.