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Alaska finally breaks dry spell, shocks SMB

PBA
By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--All it took was a trip to Angeles, and Alaska's five-month futility came to an end.

The Aces finally notched a win after 15 games, stunning the San Miguel Beermen, 90-79, in their PBA Governors' Cup clash at the AUF Sports Arena on Saturday night.

Alaska made its defensive presence felt, limiting SMB to only nine points in the first quarter.

But just as the game began to sizzle offensively, the Beermen threatened, coming to within three points at some points, the last at 53-56 with 2:49 to go in the third quarter.

The Aces ended the quarter on a 7-0 run, which eventually set up their fourth quarter blitz to pull away for good.

Buck Henton tallied 36 points, 15 rebounds, one assist, three steals, and one block for Alaska, which still needs to win its remaining four games to stay in the playoff hunt.

Calvin Abueva came close to a double-double of his own in his homecoming, making 13 points and nine rebounds with two assist, one steal, and one block.

Arwind Santos had the better of Abueva in their homecoming showdown, leading SMB with 26 markers, nine caroms, two assists, and one block.

However, Santos got little help from new import Terik Bridgeman, who only made two points, six boards, one dime, and one block with six turnovers in his debut.

Box Scores: 

Alaska 90-Henton 36, Abueva 13, Thoss 12, Casio 9, Banchero 6, Galliguez 5, Enciso 4, Mendoza 2, Pascual 2, Racal 1, Baclao 0

San Miguel 79-Santos 29, Cabagnot 14, Fajardo 12, Lassiter 6, Ross 4, Heruela 4, Espinas 4, Pessumal 3, Bridgeman 2, Rosser 1, Semerad 0

Quarterscores: 19-9, 44-31, 63-53, 90-79

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno