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| Alaska import Mike Harris inspired a third-quarter charge that enabled the Aces to take a win in the best-of-seven finals series. PBA Media Bureau. |
By Ricky Manliguis
ANTIPOLO-- Alaska laid the smackdown on Magnolia with a rousing 100-71 win to finally get a win in Game 3 of the 2018 PBA Governors' Cup finals Sunday at the Ynares Center.
With Mike Harris instigating a third-quarter charge, the Aces evaded a dreadful 0-3 hole while giving the Pambansang Manok its worst loss in franchise history.
The boys of Coach Alex Compton picked up the pace in the second quarter, firing 34 points while allowing Magnolia just 14 for a 50-36 halftime lead.
From there, Harris wrecked havoc, hitting 22 of the team's 33 third-period output, highlighted by three triples for a 83-50 bubble heading into the fourth quarter.
The Hotshots failed to recover since then.
“Overall, the story of the game in the first three quarters was we made a bunch of shots and we didn’t turn the ball over.” said Alaska coach Alex Compton at post-game.
“I can almost guarantee you that there won’t be any other game like this. They’re [Magnolia] too good, too wee-coached, too talented. I expect Game 4 to be more like Game 2," he added.
Harris led three other Aces in double digits with a game-best 36 markers and 18 rebounds, while Vic Manuel chipped in 14 and Simon Enciso 12 on 4-of-9 shooting from downtown.
Carl Bryan Cruz scored 10 in only 15 minutes for Alaska.
Romeo Travis paced Magnolia with 18 points, but got little from from his teammates with Marc Barroca the only double-digit local with 13.
What's even worse for the Chito Victolero-coach squad were the injuries to Travis and guard Jio Jalalon in the second. Travis sprained his ankle, while Jalalon suffered a head injury in the final period.
Game 4 will be on Wednesday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum .
The scores:
Alaska 100 - Harris 36, Manuel 14, Enciso 12, Cruz 10, Banchero 6, J. Pascual 4, Teng 4, Galliguez 4, Casio 4, Andrada 2, Baclao 2, Racal 2, Exciminiano 0, Magat 0, Potts 0.
Magnolia 71 - Travis 18, Barroca 13, Herndon 7, Sangalang 7, Mendoza 6, Dela Rosa 5, Abundo 4, Reavis 3, Lee 2, Ramos 2, Melton 2, Jalalon 2, Simon 0, Gamalinda 0, Brondial 0, K. Pascual 0.
Quarterscores: 16-22, 50-36, 83-50, 100-71.
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