MANILA, Philippines -- Defending PBA Commissioner's Cup champion Alaska Aces started their preparation to retain the crown on a bright note with an 87-79 win Friday night against the re-tooled GlobalPort Batang Pier in Day 1 of the three-day 77th Cebu City Charter Day Cup at the Cebu Coliseum.
Returning Best Import Rob Dozier picked up from where he left off
pumping in 19 points to lead the Aces.
Dozier got a strong support from the locals with Cyrus Baguio and Jvee Casio chipping in 14 and 12 points, respectively.
Alaska coach Luigi Trillo said in the team's official website that he was satisfied with the team's effort.
“I’m glad the players really stepped up. It was not an easy schedule. We had to wake up early Thursday morning to play Barako Bull Energy Cola before leaving Manila. Then we flew to Cebu later in the day and then we had practice and then play again tonight. So that was a tough schedule. But we really had to play through the attrition. It was really nice to see the players playing the way they did,†Trillo told the Aces' official website.
It was a sorry loss for the debuting GlobalPort head coach Pido Jarencio, who drew 20 points from sensational rookie Terrence Romeo and 18 from former Barako Bull import Evan Brock.
“The game against Barako was a feeling out process. It’s really nice to see Rob (Dozier) in his element. He was running. He was defending. He was disrupting shots because of his length and athleticism. He worked really hard and I’m glad for the way he played,†Trillo added.
In the other game, Talk n Text routed the Misamis Oriental-based commercial team Taguloan/Natumolan Tigers, 105-70.
Four Talk n Text players scored in double figures with import Richard Howell scattering 19 points while Nino Canaleta fired 15 —all coming from downtown. Ranidel de Ocampo and Danny Seigle added 12 and in 11 points, respectively.
The Aces and Texters collide in Day 2 at 8 p.m. as the tournament shifts to Mandaue City Sports and Cultural Complex this Saturday. The Batang Pier and the Tigers, the only non-PBA club in the tournament meet in the other game.