MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Alaska gave Columbian a dose of reality as the Aces churned out a 134-103 demolition of the Dyip in the 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Araneta Coliseum on Friday, May 4. 

Vic Manuel, who was coming off a career-high 27-point outing in their previous game, continued his impressive play with 26 points, 20 coming in the first half alone that helped Alaska erect a whopping 36-point lead by halftime. 

There were no signs of a rout, though, in the maiden period with Columbian trailing by just 3 points, 28-31, before the Aces went on an offensive onslaught in the second quarter and outscored the Dyip, 42-9, for a 73-37 cushion heading into the second half. 

Import Antonio Campbell backstopped Manuel with 22 points and 13 rebounds and Chris Banchero issued 13 assists on top of 9 points and 4 rebounds as Alaska notched its second straight win after dropping its conference opener.

Alaska’s 31-point triumph is by far the biggest winning margin this conference, and interestingly, it came at the expense of Columbian, which previously held the record with its 28-point beating of the Blackwater Elite.

Also, according to league chief statistician Fidel Mangonon, Alaska’s output is the most points scored in a PBA game in more than 26 years since it pulled off a 137-120 win over Presto Tivoli on March 2, 1992. 

“It was one of those games the ball went in a lot for us. They missed some shots. We got some really easy baskets off of some defensive activity and I mean that was the game,” said Alaska head coach Alex Compton.

“I don’t think this is a complex one to analyze. If they were hitting a few more shots and we didn’t get some of the layups off the turnovers, it’s a game. But the second quarter blew it open.”

Nonoy Baclao made his presence felt for the Aces with 12 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists while 5 other players scored at least 7 points in the win. 

John Bailey Fields III, who replaced import C.J. Aiken, showcased his wares with 39 points and 16 rebounds in his PBA debut. But those weren’t enough to prevent the Dyip from crashing to a 2-2 record.

Eric Camson and Reden Celda were the only other Dyip players in double figures with 10 points apiece. 

The Scores:

Alaska (134): Manuel 26, Campbell 22, Baclao 12, Galliguez 10, Banchero 9, Magat 9, Abueva 8, Casio 8, R. Pascual 8, Potts 6, Teng 5, Exciminiano 4, Thoss 4, Racal 3, Andrada 0, Enciso 0

Columbian (103): Fields 39, Camson 10, Celda 10, King 8, Lastimosa 8, McCarthy 7, Cabrera 6, Gabriel 4, Yee 4, Khobuntin 3, Cahilig 2, Sara 2, Ababou 0, Corpuz 0, Escoto 0, Tubid 0

Quarter scores: 31-28, 73-37, 106-72, 134-103 

– Rappler.com