Starter Jeron Teng contributed good numbers for the Aces before the bench players took over. PBA Images |
MANILA--Alaska took over in the second half to blast Blackwater, 103-77, at the start of the new PBA season on Friday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
The Aces caught fire in the third quarter, outscoring the Bossing, 32-18, to go up, 71-57, entering the fourth period.
Behind the heroics of Mike Tolomia, Blackwater tried to crawl back and cut the lead down to six, 76-70, with 8:09 left.
But back-to-back triples from Mike Digregorio and Jvee Casio completely doused Blackwater's last gasp even as Digregorio continued to spark in the endgame to help Alaska pull away for good.
Digregorio finished with 20 points on 8-of-12 shooting, five rebounds, and two assists off the bench to lead the Aces.
Yousef Taha added 16 markers, seven boards, three dimes, and one block off the bench.
Simon Enciso put up 23 points, one carom, and three assists for the Bossing but was held to just four points in the second half.
Baser Amer had a slump in his first game with Blackwater, only making four points on 2-for-12 shooting, three rebounds, and three assists off the bench.
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