COLUMBIAN got off to a strong start in its PBA Governors’ Cup campaign after beating Alaska, 117-110, on Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Khapri Alston asserted himself in the paint and finished with 38 points and 22 rebounds for the Dyip. CJ Perez also had a big game and ended up with 27 points and 13 rebounds in his first game back in the PBA after his stint with Gilas Pilipinas.
With the victory, the Dyip already matched their winning output from last year’s Governors’ Cup.
The loss spoiled the first game of Jeff Cariaso as head coach of the Aces, whose defeat was compounded with the news that Noy Baclao suffered a bad fall in the fourth quarter of the match.
Doctors suspect a rupture in Baclao’s patella tendon in his right knee, but they will continue to evaluate the condition of the Alaska big man.
With Alston leading the charge, the Dyip had their pullaway in the third quarter when they went on a 12-2 run to take a 78-62 lead. They also staved off repeated rallies by the Aces in the fourth quarter to pull off the victory.
“We have a good import. ‘Yun ang wala namin, a player who could go to the post, a passer, and a smart guy. Even though he is just 6-3, he plays like a 6-10,” said Columbian coach Johnedel Cardel.
Justin Watts had 40 points in his first game with Alaska, but his efforts were not enough. Newly-acquired player Abu Tratter had 15 points and nine rebounds for his first game with the Aces.
The scores:
Columbian 117 – Alston 38, Perez 28, Khobuntin 16, McCarthy 11, Tiongson 11, Camson 5, Flores 4, Calvo 4, Reyes 0, Gabayni 0.
Alaska 110 – Watts 40, Tratter 15, Manuel 14, Enciso 11, Ayaay 9, Thoss 6, Galliguez 6, Casio 4, Banchero 3, Baclao 2, Pascual 0.
Quarters: 28-22; 56-56; 73-61; 117-110.
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