Dozier plays big as Aces end slump vs Air21

Game Wednesday (Smart Araneta Coliseum)

8 p.m. – San Miguel Beer vs Rain or Shine

MANILA, Philippines – Rob Dozier dished out his best game so far in his PBA return and helped anchor Alaska Milk’s strong finish en route to an 88-78 win over Air21 in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Monday night.

Dozier showed up Herve Lamizana, and Sonny Thoss, Calvin Abueva, Jvee Casio and RJ Jazul also made impact as the Aces checked a two-game skid and improved to 2-3 halfway through their stint in the short elimination phase of the mid-season tourney.

Dozier came through with timely hits in the fourth quarter where Alaska outscored Air21, 27-16, to hand the Express a second loss against two wins.

“We really have to have the guys to buy in on what we’re doing. The past games we’re breaking down in terms of game plan,” said Alaska coach Luigi Trillo.

“We played our defense,” Trillo also said on the biggest key on their conquest of the Express. “The other side is excited. It’s been long since they’re winning.”

True enough, the Aces put up a good defensive effort, shackling down in particular the Air21 frontline tandem of Lamizana and Asi Taulava.

Dozier, the reigning Commissioner’s Cup Best Import, logged 23 points and nine rebounds, four blocks and two assists as against Lamizana’s 16 markers and 10 boards. Taulava was held down to 11 markers.

Still, the two teams engaged in a battle marked by 10 deadlocks and eight lead changes.

The Express led, 62-61, going into the fourth quarter.

Dozier fired a trey in the closing seconds as Alaska took the first quarter at 19-16 then Air21 surged ahead at the half, 41-38, on a crucial binge by Joseph Yeo in the second period.

The scores:

ALASKA 88 – Dozier 23, Thoss 14, Abueva 13, Casio 10, Jazul 10, Hontiveros 6, Baguio 6, Dela Cruz 2, Espinas 2, Manuel 2, Reyes 0.

AIR 21 78 – Yeo 19, Lamizana 16, Taulava 11, Cardona 10, Borboran 9, Villanueva 5, Ramos 4, Burtscher 2, Atkins 2, Jaime 0, Poligrates 0.

Quarterscores: 19-16, 38-41, 61-62, 88-78