Aces edge Painters, snap losing streak

Alaska finally barged into the win column after outlasting Rain or Shine, 78-71, and snapped a five-game losing streak in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors’ Cup last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Jeron Teng came off the bench and sparked the Aces run with 18 points and nine rebounds to give head coach Jeffrey Cariaso his first win in the league.

Franko House also had a solid outing for Alaska with 22 points and 23 rebounds while Simon Enciso chipped in nine markers.

“I’m just really happy today. Just to get that monkey off my back. Today is a day that I think for once we played solid in all four quarters,” Cariaso said.

“Today our discipline was sustained for four quarters. I’m really happy on our defense. We’re not perfect in all aspects but I think today we did enough to win,” he added.

After leading by 10, 62-52, the Aces saw their lead sliced by the Elasto Painters with an 8-0 run, 60-62 with 8:33 remaining.

Teng then joined forces with House and pushed their lead back to 72-65 but Rain or Shine staged another rally and threatened at 68-72 under a minute remaining.

The former La Salle standout hit a crucial jumper in the next play for Alaska for a 74-68 separation and Rain or Shine never got closer since then.

Import Kayel Locke led all scorers with 25 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Elasto Painters while Ed Daquioag and Mark Borboran each had nine points apiece for the team of coach Caloy Garciao.

The win put Alaska in a tie with Rain or Shine at the bottom of team standings with identical 1-5 slates.