Manuel, Alaska hand Rain or Shine first loss in PH Cup

Vic Manuel delivered in the clutch as Alaska dealt Rain or Shine its first loss in a tightly contested ball game, 89-88, at the Angeles University Foundation in Pampanga on Thursday, October 22. 

Manuel topscored for the Aces with 18 points to go with 7 rebounds, but it was his crucial buckets down the stretch that propelled Alaska to their third straight victory after starting the conference at 0-2. 

“Honestly when we lost to Meralco, we went back to basics,” said Alaska coach Jeff Cariaso. “We talked about our defense, we talked about how we can improve.”

“We wanna have that understanding that going into a game, our defensive mindset has to be strong. That’s what we went back to and so far, so good,” added Cariaso.

Tied at 80-all in the final 2 minutes, Manuel and Robbie Herndon hit huge baskets that gave the Aces a five-point lead, 85-80.

Javee Mocon answered with a three-pointer but Manuel delivered with another tough jumper to keep the Aces afloat at 87-83.

Yet Rain or Shine continued to threaten, inching within a point after a Beau Belga basket, 89-88, with only 5 seconds remaining. 

Although the Aces had the chance to pad their lead, Jvee Casio turned the ball over that gave the Elasto Painters a chance to steal the game.

Rey Nambatac, however, failed to convert on a potential game-winning lay-up as the Elasto Painters saw their three-game winning-streak come to an end for a 3-1 slate.

Jeron Teng added 13 points and 8 assists for the Aces, while rookie Barkley Eboña and Abu Tratter chipped in 10 points apiece. 

Sidney Onwubere led the Elasto Painters with 16 points while Mocon and rookie Adrian Wong added 14 and 12 points, respectively.

The Scores:

Alaska 89 – Manuel 18, Teng 13, Tratter 10, Eboña 10, Herndon 9, Digregorio 7, Brondial 7, Ahamnisi 5, Casio 5, Galliguez 3, Ayaay 2, Marcelino 0.

Rain or Shine 88 – Onwubere 16, Mocon 14, Wong 12, Belga 10, Torres 10, Nambatac 7, Norwood 5, Yap 5, Doliguez 3, Rivero 2, Rosales 2, Tolentino 0.

Quarters: 22-18, 38-41, 61-63, 89-88.

– Martin Mendoza/Rappler.com