Aces escape Elite

Carl Bryan Cruz of Alaska (left) and Joseph Eriobu of Blackwater clash for the rebound during their PBA Philippine Cup game Wednesday night at Mall of Asia Arena. ROMAN PROSPERO

Alaska fended off the gritty Blackwater side, 103-101, to make it two wins in a row in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philipppine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup last night at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Still trailing, 94-97, in the two-minute mark, the Aces proved to be the experienced squad down the stretch as it launched a 9-4 finishing kick to claim their second win in three outings.

With this win, Alaska improved to 2-1 early in its All Filipino conference campaign to crowd the middle of the team standings.

Five players finished in double figures for the Aces led by Jeron Teng and Carl Bryan Cruz with 18 points apiece.

Veteran Sonny Thoss also added 16 points while marquee guard Chris Banchero racked up a double-double of 11 points and 16 assists on top of two steals.

Meanwhile, veterans Allein Maliksi and Roi Sumang tallied 25 and 18 points, respectively, for the Elite, who slid to 1-6 slate.