Walker tows Alaska to brink of finals appearance

Jane Bracher

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Walker tows Alaska to brink of finals appearance
Henry Walker moved past his frustrations on the physicality of the semifinals and led the Alaska Aces to a Game 3 victory

MANILA, Philippines – Henry Walker moved past his frustrations on the physicality of the semifinals and led the Alaska Aces to a 104-94 Game 3 victory over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters on Tuesday night, June 24 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, to take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-5 series and come to within a win away from a finals appearance in the 2014 PLDT Home Telpad PBA Governors’ Cup. 

The import put up a consistent performance throughout the game to finish with 26 points, 13 redounds and 3 assists as the Aces pulled away in the fourth.  

Walker’s splendid performance comes at the heels of a frustrated Game 2, where he walked out of the court with 18 points, a sore right arm and a busted lip.  

He spoke out after that game saying that the physicality was just “dirty play.” But head coach Alex Compton knew how to psych his import and get him mentally prepared for Game 3.  

“Everywhere is different, we have our own style in the PBA. We have to adjust to that style. It’s gonna be officiated different anywhere you go,” Compton explains when asked what he told Walker. 

“No matter what happens, our focus is if there’s no whistle we need to keep playing. And if there is a whistle  and they called the ball out on us, and we thought we were fouled, we have to sprint back. It’s just how it is. We just have to play.” 

He added: “I understand the adjustment for foreign players when they go to different places but be above it and just play. I’m really proud of him with the way he responded.” 

Gabby Espinas (12 points) connected on a bucket underneath early in the payoff period to give Alaska an 86-71 edge. But Rain or Shine managed to trim it down to 98-91 after a Jeff Chan corner triple and a Raymond Almazan free throw with 2:20 on the clock.  

But things looked bleak for the Painters entering the final two minutes as Walker came alive with 4 straight points to bring the lead back up to 102-91 with 1:21 to play.  

“While we’re happy we won, ultimately this whole thing means nothing if we don’t get one more,” Compton said. “Gosh, it was a battle.” 

Sticking with their stingy defense once again, Alaska managed to keep the Painters to below a hundred points and forced 16 turnovers on them, which translated to 21 turnover points for Alaska. 

Though using just a 10-man rotation, a total of 6 Aces finished in double digits, including Calvin Abueva with 14, along with Dondon Hontiveros, Sonny Thoss and Vic Manuel, all with 11 markers apiece. 

“I think when we have a bunch of guys sharing the basketball and a bunch of guys scoring in double figures, just like Rain or Shine, then we’re tougher to guard,” Compton noted. 

Rain or Shine, on the other hand, also had 6 guys in double figures with Jeff Chan showing the way with 22 points as the usually explosive Arizona Reid dipped to just 17 points and 8 rebounds.  

Ryan Araña, Raymond Almazan, Jireh Ibañes and Paul Lee each had 10 points. 

Scores

Alaska 104 – Walker 26, Abueva 14, Espinas 12, Hontiveros 11, Thoss 11, Manuel 11, Casio 7, Dela Cruz 6, Baguio 4, Jazul 2.

Rain or Shine 94 – Chan 22, Reid 17, Arana 10, Almazan 10, Ibanes 10, Lee 10, Belga 5, Tiu 5, Teng 3, Rodriguez 2, Uyloan 0, Cruz 0.

Quarter scores: 29-23, 53-46, 78-66, 104-94. 

Rappler.com

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