Alaska completes last-minute comeback to stun Meralco

Jane Bracher

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

Alaska completes last-minute comeback to stun Meralco
The Aces rally from a 9-point deficit in the last 2:43 with a 13-2 run to finish the contest

MANILA, Philippines – The Alaska Aces completed a 13-point turnaround in the last 2:43 and stunned the Meralco Bolts, 81-79, in the 2017 PBA Philippine Cup on Wednesday, December 14 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Aces rallied from a 9-point deficit, 77-68, with 2:43 remaining and mounted a 13-2 run to finish the contest and survive with the win.

Vic Manuel was the only player in double figures for Alaska with 22 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, a steal, and two blocks but it was the a collective effort for the Aces in those last two minutes to usurp the Bolts.

JVee Casio, RJ Jazul, and Chris Banchero all came up with big 3-pointers during that run that boosted Alaska. Jazul’s trey from the left wing shoved the Aces ahead, 78-77, with 27.3 seconds on the clock while Banchero hit the dagger go-ahead triple with 4.2 ticks left to seal the win.

Meanwhile, energizer bunny Calvin Abueva was right in the middle of those key plays as he not only supplied the big block on Joseph Yeo on the defensive end that paved the way for Jazul’s go-ahead 3-pointer, but also provided the assist.

Jazul returned the favor to Banchero in the dying seconds, passing to him in the same spot on the left wing for the big three.

“I just told the guys we have time, one by one. We’ve done this before,” coach Alex Compton shared what he told the players in a timeout with a 9-point deficit staring them down.

“I think it helps that we hit 3 triples in the last two minutes,” he added.

Abueva finished with an all-around game of 9 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, a steal, and two blocks.

“He has an uncanny ability to penetrate, to finish, to make plays and an unbelievable amount of energy. But I’m most proud when he makes people around him better,” Compton said of Abueva.

Banchero and Jaypee Mendoza likewise had 9 points apiece as Casio and Jazul had 8 and 7 markers, respectively, as Alaska evened its record to 2-2.

Last season’s Rookie of the Year Chris Newsome tallied a game-high 23 points plus 8 rebounds and 5 assists for the Bolts, who also now holds a 2-2 record.

Cliff Hodge had 16 points and 8 rebounds while Reynel Hugnatan contributed 15 markers and 6 boards.

Rookie Jonathan Grey nearly became the hero for the Bolts after he drove past Abueva for the and-one layup and the lead with 15.1 ticks to go, 79-78. But he missed the bonus as Banchero went on to shoot over Grey for the win.

Scores:

Alaska (81): Manuel 22, Banchero 9, Abueva 9, Mendoza 9, Casio 8, Jazul 7, Dela Cruz 6, Exciminiano 4, Magat 2, Pascual 2, Hontiveros 2, Racal 1, Galliguez 0, Cruz 0.

Meralco (79): Newsome 23, Hodge 16, Hugnatan 15, Grey 8, Daquioag 6, Amer 4, Al-Hussaini 2, Caram 2, Yeo 2, Chua 1, Faundo 0, Nabong 0, Uyloan 0.

Quarter scores: 22-26, 42-36, 55-61, 81-79.

– Rappler.com

Add a comment

Sort by

There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.

Summarize this article with AI

How does this make you feel?

Loading
Download the Rappler App!