The Saudi Gazette
MANILA
PLAYING like a second import, Willie Miller led Alaska past Barangay Ginebra, 100-98, Sunday night as the Aces scored its second straight victory in the PBA Fiesta Conference.
Alaska overhauled a 14-point Ginebra lead at the start of the fourth quarter with import Rosell Ellis conspiring with Miller and Jeffrey Cariaso to push the Aces ahead 97-90 with two minutes left in the game.
Ginebra came charging back with Sunday Salvacion burying a trey and Ronald Tubid scoring twice to tie the count at 97-all with 46 seconds left.
Kings import James Neally then split his charities to give Ginebra the lead.
But Miller denied Ginebra its first victory in the conference as he scored the last three points in the game. Miller finished with 26 points.
Johnny Abbarientos and Tubid made up for the absence of Mark Caguioa and Jayjay Helterbrand from the Ginebra roster. But despite the quality minutes played by Ginebra’s substitute guards, the Kings appeared a different team without the Caguioa-Helterbrand “Fast and the Furious” backcourt duo.
Neally impressed the crowd at the Araneta Coliseum with his repertoire of shots and defensive stance. But early foul trouble stymied his game in the payoff period. He scored 31 points in his debut for Ginebra.
In the first game, Welcoat import Charles Clark made up for a disappointing debut the last time out as he led Welcoat to a 114-104 upset victory over the Sta. Lucia Realtors.
The Dragons, who finished 10th and last in the previous Philippine Cup, got an extra boost from Jirex Ibanes -- a rookie wingman who scattered a career-high 25 points on a 9-for-10 shooting from the field, helping his team notch its first win in the conference and snap a 10-game losing spell dating back to the eliminations of the last conference.
Clark, who hardly made an impact in their 79-81 opening day loss to Coca-Cola last Sunday, tallied a season-high 37 points that drew praises from Welcoat head coach Leo Austria.
“If he played bad tonight the blame will be ours (coaching staff) because it’s us who fought to bring him here. We knew he could provide us help defensively specially in the middle because Jay-R (Reyes) can’t handle the job alone. I’m glad that tonight Charles showed his worth,” Austria said.
Clark and Ibanez practically carried the load for the team in the third quarter, accounting for 22 of Welcoat’s 28 points in the period.
The duo had six point apiece during a 14-0 run midway in the third quarter as the Dragons stretched an 11-point lead in a four-minutes span to 84-59.
The Dragons, who only had three wins in the previous conference, got off to a good start and never trailed. On offense, they kept the ball moving, enabling them to find the open man and getting good shots.
Welcoat’s total output as well as its 56.4 shooting percentage were both records for the franchise in its young six months of existence in the pro league.
Welcoat’s playing assistant coach and second import Alex Compton managed just eight points but had a conference-high 11 assists.
Austria said his troops played relaxed basketball because the Realtors hardly provided them challenge.
Sta. Lucia import Rock Winston had another double-double performance with 32 points and 12 rebounds but hardly made an impact, failing to provide the team with the spark to get it going.
Nelbert Omolon scored 16 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter but virtually got no support from his teammates as Sta. Lucia, which is among the conference’s favorites, went down to its second straight defeat.
The scores:
First Game
Welcoat 114 – Clark 37, Ibanes 25, Lopez 14, Reyes 9, Compton 8, Cabatu 8, Gelig 5, Baguion 4, Wainwright 4, Lao 0.
Sta. Lucia 104 –Winston 32, Omolon 21, Williams 12, Espino 12, Cabagnot 9, Duremdes 6, Catli 5, Calimag 5, Bughao 2, Isip 0, Aquino 0, Gonzales 0, Mendoza 0.
Quarterscores: 25-23, 62-53, 90-67, 114-104
Second Game
Alaska 100 – Ellis 27, Miller 26, Thoss 14, Cariaso 11, Hugnatan 6, Singson 6, Laure 4, Aban 2, Ferriols 2, Belasco 2.
Ginebra 98 – Nealy 31, Salvacion 18, Tubid 13, Hatfield 11, Macapagal 8, Echavez 6, Abarrientos 6, Mamaril 3, Menk 2, Santos 0.
Quarterscores: 26-22, 40-49, 70-75, 100-98.
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