Jay R. Gotera
MANILA — The Alaska Aces nailed their first victory, 108-100, Wednesday night after opening their PBA Commissioner’s Cup campaign with a loss. Shane Edwards, who replaced the injured Rob Dozier, tallied 36 points and 20 boards to lead the Aces.
The Aces also handed the Texters their third straight loss after starting the conference with a win.
Trailing in the first three quarters, the Aces launched their patented comeback, outscoring the Texters, 35-22, to turn the game around.
Edwards scored 10 of his output in the final period while RJ Jazul and JVee Casio combined for 13 points. Jazul finished with 13 points, the same output made by Vic Manuel. Calvin Abueva added 11 markers.
New TNT import David Simon also had an explosive debut in the PBA, scoring 35 points. Four other Texters scored in double digits, with Matt Ganuelas Rosser adding 14 markers, Ranidel de Ocampo with 13, Troy Rosario with 12, and Jayson Castro with 11.
Star 122, Blackwater 103
The Star Hotshots finally found a way to win after four games, drubbing the Blackwater Elite 122-103.
Import Denzel Bowles paced the Hotshots with 28 points and eight boards, while Allein Maliksi added 23 markers off the bench.
James Yap started for the first time this conference for Star, rewarding coach Jason Webb by scoring all but two of his 15 points total in the first quarter. Mark Barroca and PJ Simon added 10 apiece for Star.
For the first time, the Hotshots played like the champion team of old, torching the net with 56 percent shooting from the field and leading by as many 28 points early in the final quarter.
The Elite also shot well, averaging over 50 percent as well, but the Hotshots were simply the more determined team.
Import MJ Rhett led Blackwater once again, churning out 30 points and grabbing 21 boards and dishing out six assists playing tirelessly without substitution in the entire 48 minutes of the game.
Top gunner Carlo Lastimosa added 20 points, but was held scoreless in the fourth quarter. JP Erram and Rheill Cervantes added 13 and 11 points, respectively.
The Elite absorbed their second loss in four games to remain in solo fifth place in the standings.
Games Friday: Mahindra Enforcers (2-1) vs. NLEX Road Warriors (2-1); and San Miguel Beermen (0-1) vs. GlobalPort Batang Pier (2-1).
