Coming off their first win of the conference against a relatively weaker foe in NLEX, the Floodbuster ran into a perennial contender in the Aces who led from start to finish on the way to a third straight victory.
Cory Jefferson sustained his steady play with 30 points and 11 boards, while Calvin Abueva sparked the Aces’ bench as 'The Beast' finished with 17 points and six boards in just 24 minutes.
When: 18 MARCH 2017
Events: PBA GOVERNORS CUP SERIES 2017
Where: CUNETA ASTRODOME
But it was Sonny Thoss who sparked the late surge, scoring six of his 11 points in a 10-0 blast late in the payoff period that gave the Aces a 15-point lead, enough to cushion a late rally from the Floodbuster, who fell to their third loss in four games.
After the Floodbuster came to within five points, 87-82, following a James White slam, the Aces scored 10 unanswered points that all but took the fight out of the Floodbuster.
White led the Floodbuster with 30 points, 14 boards, three blocks, and one steal, but found little help outside Mark Yee, LA Revilla, and Gary David as Alex Mallari was held to just seven points on just nine attempts in 23 minutes as a starter.
The scores:
ALASKA 98 – Jefferson 30, Abueva 17, Thoss 11, Racal 8, Cruz 8, Enciso 6, Exciminiano 5, Galliguez 5, Pascual 2, Casio 2, Mendoza 2, Andrada 2, Magat 0
MAHINDRA 92 – White 30, Yee 13, Revilla 12, David 10, Mallari 7, Celda 5, Paniamogan 5, Guevarra 2, Teng 2, Galanza 2, Ballesteros 2, Elorde 2, Deutchman 0, Caperal 0, Salva 0
Quarterscores: 28-18, 50-40, 74-61, 98-92