Well-rested Alaska, SMB thwart rivals

MANILA, Philippines - Alaska Milk came out bristling in form despite a long 18-day layoff, routing a weary Barangay Ginebra side for a 104-79 win in the opener of their KFC PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven semifinal showdown at the Araneta Coliseum last night.

Sonny Thoss and Joe De Vance both came through with a double-double showing with LA Tenorio and Tony dela Cruz adding double-digit outputs as the Aces dominated a Ginebra team drained by a grueling stint in the quarterfinals versus Talk n Text.

“We hoped this to happen but not totally expected it,” said Alaska coach Tim Cone.

“They were emotionally and physically tired having to go through that tough quarters series with Talk n Text. But this is just the first game of a long series. They will take a deep breath and I expect a tough game in Game Two,” Cone said.

San Miguel Beer, another team coming off a long rest, walloped Purefoods, 99-83, in Game One of their own best-of-seven semis series.

“Our long break worked well for us. It became a big advantage, giving our injured players time to recover. Danny Seigle and Danny Ildefonso rejoined us in this game and they were of big help,” said San Miguel coach Siot Tanquingcen.

“However, it’s just one game. We must not fall in a wrong sense of security. For sure, Purefoods will play with a lot of energy in the next game,” Tanquingcen added.

After yielding the first basket to Enrico Villanueva, the Aces answered with a 23-8 attack and they utterly outplayed the Kings all the way to the finish.

“We’re a step slow tonight. The Talk n Text series took its toll on us and we didn’t have the fire,” said Ginebra coach Jong Uichico.

“But that’s the way it is and we have no excuse. We must find a way to refresh ourselves. It’s only zero-one and hopefully we can recover,” Uichico said.

With the Alaska starters coming out strong and the reserves also playing well, the Aces took control throughout, leading by as many as 22 points right in the first half.

De Vance and Thoss outclassed Villanueva, Eric Menk and Billy Mamaril with the former churning out 20 points and 18 rebounds and the latter submitting 21 points and 11 rebounds.

Tenorio added 19 points, six assists, five rebounds and two steals while Dela Cruz chipped in 10 points, six rebounds and three assists for the Aces who never showed the effect of a long layoff.

“This is really the best practice team I’ve ever coached. They competed against each other in practice. We battled during the break and that’s the key to this game,” said Cone.

“The guys were sharp. They didn’t turn the ball over even as Ginebra applied the pressure,” Cone added.

The Aces lorded it over the boards, 59-40, and shot much better, hitting at a 49.4 percent clip as against the Kings’ 36 percent shooting.

Practically all the Ginebra players were off except curiously Mark Caguioa who’s still smarting from a knee injury.

Caguioa, playing only his eighth game in the tourney, nailed three triples and finished with a game-high 23 points that went with four rebounds and two steals.

“What I’m disappointed about is seeing players who don’t rise to the challenge, who can’t find the inner strength to rise above adversity,” said Uichico without mentioning any player in particular.

Only two Ginebra players finished in double figures with reserve forward Sunday Salvacion knocking in two triples and a total of 14 points.

JC Intal, who averaged 23.8 points in the quarters, was held down to seven while Ronald Tubid, norming 16.2 points in the tourney, was limited to eight.

The Kings compounded their dilemma when Celino Cruz and Menk sustained injuries that prevented them from finishing the contest.