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MICHAEL DiGregorio saved the Alaska Aces from falling into a deep hole with a clutch performance against Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok, 87-81, in the PBA 45th Season Philippine Cup at the Foundation Sports and Cultural Center. University of Angeles on Saturday night.
DiGregorio chipped in on five of his 10 points in the final minute of the game, including the dagger triple that put Alaska ahead by four, 83-79, with 54 ticks to play.
The 28-year-old point guard calmly scored two free throws with 25 seconds left to keep Magnolia at bay after Marc Barroca hit a layup on the other end.
Jayvee Casio, who was named the best player of the game, delivered the final blow on the defensive end with a great block on Jackson Corpuz’s three-point attempt that spelled doom for the Hotshots.
“Everyone has to step up. SUBWAYedyo is not good first two games U.S (Our first two games weren’t up to par.) I think we did better today, ”Casio said after finishing the game with 17 points on 7 of 13 shots from the field.
After catching up in the first three quarters, Alaska regained the lead from Jeron Teng’s double early in the fourth period. That was Alaska’s first test of the lead since the 3-0 start in the opening period.
The game turned into a back-and-forth brawl at that point. However, the Aces had the final say as DiGregorio, Teng and Casio put the finishing touches on the game.
Teng had 19 points, DeGregorio shot 10 and was 2 of 2 from beyond the arc, while Abu Tratter had 10 points, nine rebounds and two steals.
“I challenged the guys in tonight’s game that we just have to be better [at] what we do. And the boys showed it tonight. Defensively, they were much better [in] the last two games, ”Alaska coach Jeffrey Cariaso said at a post-game news conference.
The Aces had the fewest attempts from the 3-point range before the game.
“I think we now have a team [that] you can put numbers out of all three. It’s really about settling down to reclaim the grove. I really still feel like we still have [our] rhythm. Our flow is still inconsistent, ”Cariaso said.
The Aces and Hotshots are now tied with a 1-2 win-loss record.
Barroca scored 16, Paul Lee finished with 14 and Christoper Bachero had 13 for the Hotshots.
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