Alaska snapped a two-game skid but lost import Olu Ashaolu to an injury after extending the struggles of Blackwater, 98-73, Wednesday, Dec. 22 in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Five players scored in double figures as the Aces improved to 3-2 after back-to-back defeats that came in the last minute to Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and TNT Tropang Giga.
The Aces also put the Bossing at 0-5, which extended their long misery dating back to Oct. 2020 to 24 consecutive defeats.
But the victory was dampened with concerns about the injury of Ashaolu, who hurt his calf in the third quarter and didn’t return.
Coach Jeffrey Cariaso is hoping for the best since Ashaolu has made a good account of himself with averages of 19.8 points, 11.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.2 steals.
Ashaolu had 10 points and seven rebounds before the injury.
Maverick Ahanmisi topscored with 17 points while adding eight rebounds, two assists and two steals, Jeron Teng put up 14 points, eight rebounds and three assists while Robbie Herndon and Mike Tolomia added 12 points apiece.
Rashawn McCarthy and Ed Daquioag were the only Blackwater players in double figures with 16 and 12 points.
Not even another solid performance from Jong Baloria, who scored nine, was enough to provide a spark for the Bossing.
Alaska led 50-43 at the half before pulling away in the second half, with Ahanmisi hitting six in the third.
Blackwater’s offense went cold in the last two quarters, 10-of-35 for a 29-percent clip.
Import Jaylen Bond also scored a season-low two points on 1-of-5 clip. The Bossing later announced that they have tapped a replacement in Shawn Glover, who the team hopes would be available by early-January.
The scores:
ALASKA 98 — Ahanmisi 17, Teng 14, Herndon 12, Tolomia 12, Ashaolu 10, Digregorio 8, Tratter 7, Taha 6, Brondial 6, Publico 4, Stockton 2, Ilagan 0, Adamos 0, Marcelino 0, Racal 0.
BLACKWATER 75 — McCarthy 16, Daquioag 12, Baloria 9, Desiderio 8, Amer 7, Escoto 6, Ebona 6, McAloney 6, Chauca 3, Bond 2, Washington 0, Gabriel 0, Paras 0.
Quarters: 21-24, 50-43, 73-60, 98-75.