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Source: abs-cbnnews.com

-- Alaska notched an impressive 101-87 win over Purefoods Tender Juicy Sunday night in the KFC-Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum which marked the end of its first-round campaign.

LA Tenorio and Willie Miller banged in great efforts in offense for the Aces while the team’s second unit provided again sufficient support as Alaska topped the first stage with an 8-1 win-loss record.

Tenorio logged in 24 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals while 2-time MVP Miller got 22 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists.

“We really wanted to finish the first round as a top team and we really wanted to do that that’s why this is a bigger game for us than the Talk ‘N Text game,” said Tim Cone, Alaska head coach.

“It’s really a tough back-to-back character games for us. Hopefully, we can continue to play at this level in the second round,” Cone added.

For the Giants, Kerby Raymundo had 25 points but partner, James Yap, was limited to 8 and sat out most of the second half due to a knee injury.

Alaska took a 72-58 lead after the third period and Larry Fonacier opened the fourth period with back-to-back triples as the Aces opened up an 80-58 cushion and never looked back.

Realtors in shaky win

Meanwhile Sta. Lucia Realty relied on Joseph Yeo during overtime to escape a pesky Barako Bull, 80-77, for its second straight win and fifth overall against three losses.

Yeo had 6 of his game-high 16 points in the overtime period. His effort however helped the Realtors to grab the upperhand after trailing in the regular period.

“The team played bad tonight. Ang iniisip kasi ng players, this is already a won ball game for us kasi Barako Bull ang kalaban,” said Sta. Lucia head coach Boyet Fernandez. He also got double-double performances from Gabby Espinas and Kelly Williams.

“The players thought dahil pareho sila ng kalidad ng kalaban, it will be easy. Barako Bull is a dangerous team,” he added.

Espinas, who played for Barako Bull last season, ended the game with 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Realtors, who came from a convincing 93-72 win over powerhouse Barangay Ginebra last Friday. Williams added 14 and 11.
It was Yeo’s clutch plays in the extra period that made the difference in the game as the former La Salle star scored the Realtor’s first six points to anchor a 12-7 exchange for a 78-73 lead with less than a minute left in the contest.

Leo Najorda banged in a triple to push the Energy Boosters within two, 76-78, but Omolon sealed the win with two free shots. The loss to Barako Bull was their fifth straight. They finished the first round with 2-7 mark.

It was a disappointing loss for the wards of coach Leo Isaac as they dictated the tempo in regulation time and even led by as much as 10, 58-48, 11:25 left in the third.

Turnovers and poor free throw shooting however allowed the Realtors to come back in the game.

Sta. Lucia unloaded a 16-7 run to threaten at 64-66 with 3:19 remaining.

Barako Bull had two chances to win the game but Alex Crisano missed a jumper and Aris Dimaunahan’s drive underneath the goal was blocked by Espinas as the buzzer sounded.

Yousif Aljamal meanwhile had 14 points for the Energy Boosters, who have now dropped their last five games to go down in the team standing with 2-7 mark.