Alaska Aces vs Barako Bull Energy

MANILA, Philippines – Coach Luigi Trillo, who labored for two seasons before nailing a first win in collegiate ball, didn’t wait long to score a “W” in pro play.

Jason Forte dominated with 29 points and 16 rebounds and Alaska Milk pounced on Barako Bull’s so-so game, fashioning out an emphatic 104-84 victory in the PBA Governors Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum tonight.

The Aces made a big turnaround from their losing tournament debut versus the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters to hand Trillo his first win as a coach in the pros.

“It’s good to get the monkey off my back,” said Trillo, who had a forgettable stint as Adamson coach in the UAAP but later had respectable showings in the PBL and in the PBA D-League.

“Obviously, it’s different the way the game is played (in the collegiate and in the pros),” Trillo said in recounting his Adamson days.

The former La Salle Archer lost all his first 29 games before earning his first win with the Falcons.

LA Tenorio, Gabby Espinas and Cyrus Baguio provided Forte big support as Alaska scored some measure of revenge against the same team that beat them in the Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals.

“We’re a bit flat in our first game. We were still adjusting. It’s nice to see activity from us defensively now. We set the tone from there,” said Trillo.

The Aces worked hard on defense right from the start, holding the Energy scoreless in the first six minutes of the contest.

Forte and company limited Barako to 12 points in the first period and to 36 in the first half, and refused to relax, winning the game with plenty to spare.

“The activity we showed is encouraging. But in fairness to Barako, they’re flat from a one-day break. They’re probably tired from their last game (against Powerade Friday), said Trillo.

Jamine Peterson, in particular, struggled for 19 points and seven rebounds after sizzling with 33 markers and 22 boards against the Tigers.

While bleeding for his points, Peterson lost his cool towards the end of the first half, committing a flagrant foul on Espinas.

He got his game a bit late, making 14 points in the second half.

Tenorio knocked in two treys and led all locals with 21 points that went with six rebounds and the same number of assists.

“I want LA with the ball. He controls the game. You have to give LA that leeway. In my mind, he’s one of the best point guards in the league,” said Trillo of his ace guard.