[ad_1]
Alaska became the fourth team to land a playoff ticket at the 2020 PBA Philippines Cup after foiling 102-94 NorthPort at the Angeles University Foundation Cultural Center and Sports Arena on Friday.
Six players scored in double figures for the balanced aces, who withstood a Christian Standhardinger night’s career to improve to 6-4 in the tournament.
Alaska still has a chance to grab one of the four twice-to-beat spots depending on how the standings move, and the team could put themselves in prime position to do so if they beat NLEX in their last game of the knockout round on Monday. .
“We are happy with our progression throughout the conference. It has been 10 tough games, and next Monday will be an even tougher game to end the eliminations,” said head coach Jeff Cariaso after the game. “We will take [today’s] win and watch the rest of the games unfold. “
Rodney Brondial had a great night and scored 16 points and 10 rebounds to lead Alaska. Abu Tratter also had 16 to go with 6 boards, while Jeron Teng added 14, 8 boards, and 6 dimes.
The Aces, one of three teams not to have consecutive games down the stretch of the eliminations, led by as many as 14 with less than five minutes remaining after Brondial scored six in a 9-0 streak that made Alaska thin. six point on a comfortable 90-76 cushion.
NorthPort, however, refused to leave and edged Alaska 16-6 in the next three minutes. A Garvo Lanete three from the wing on a Standhardinger pass cut it to four, 96-92 with 1:15 to play.
Alaska then made big saves and earned crucial points from Maverick Ahanmisi, who buried a jump shot and two free throws to help the Aces stay ahead 100-94 with 20 seconds to play. Brondial then settled the score with two of his own from the line.
Robbie Herndon contributed 13 for the Aces, while Ahanmisi and Vic Manuel also contributed 11 each.
“It’s been a roller coaster ride. What I’m really proud of and happy with the guys is the fact that each and every day, they’re just willing to stick to the basics and keep trusting each other.” Cariaso said.
Alaska held NorthPort to just 37 percent shooting from the field. More importantly, Batang Pier made just six of 32 attempts from long range (18.8 percent), a far cry from its 17-of-36 start from the center against Barangay Geneva on Wednesday. Kevin Ferrer, in particular, was controlled by the Aces; After lighting up the Gin Kings with seven 3s in 11 attempts, he made just 2 of 9 on Friday.
“We knew they are great. I consider Ferrer a great who plays three and, sometimes, four,” Cariaso explained. “They were making their shots from outside the last game, so you had to pay attention to that. But the good thing is that when you go through the conference, you play with a lot of teams that also have that leg four. So we’ve had some practice with that and defending it so that it was not something completely new.
“He was really trying to come up with a really good challenge to make it difficult for him. But overall, I think as far as the game plan on defense, the guys were focused and ready, they were really there for each other and that’s another thing from the one I’m proud of. “
Standhardinger finished with a career-high 39 points with 16 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals for Batang Pier (1-7), who are now hard-pressed to reach the top eight after falling to their third consecutive loss. . Lanete and Kelly Nabong finished with 11 each for NorthPort, while Paolo Taha finished with 10 in the loss.
NorthPort also fell 14 in the first half, but momentarily took the lead early in the third, where an active Standhardinger scored six in a row to open the second half and put the Batang Pier ahead 46-45.
Alaska, however, responded by beating Batang Pier 14-2 over the next four minutes to take a 59-48 lead that would never budge until the last ring.
THE SCORES
Alaska 102 – Tratter 16, Brondial 16, Teng 14, Herndon 13, Ahanmisi 11, Manuel 11, Digregorio 6, Ebona 6, Galliguez 3, Ayaay 0, Public 0, Andrada 0.
NorthPort 94 – Standhardinger 39, Lanete 11, Nabong 11, Taha 10, Elorde 9, Ferrer 8, Subido 3, Cruz 3, Manganti 0, Revilla 0, Guinto 0.
Trimesters: 27-18, 45-40, 69-65, 102-94.
ADDITIONAL JARS
– Standhardinger’s previous record of 37 matches was against Alaska on November 3 of last year at the 2019 Governors’ Cup. NorthPort also lost that game, 106-99.
– The 10 players who signed up during the third quarter scored at least one point for Alaska. They shot 66.7 percent (10 of 15) during that span. NorthPort, on the other hand, relied primarily on Standhardinger, who scored 13 of the team’s 25 there.
– NorthPort shot 28 of 38 on free throws.
UNTIL NEXT TIME
– NorthPort vs. Magnolia on Sunday, November 8 at 4 p.m.
– Alaska vs. NLEX on Monday, November 9 at 4 p.m.
