ALASKA showed Shane Edwards the old form that the Aces are starting to regain as it beat its former import and Ginebra, 81-75, in their tune-up game on Wednesday at the Upper Deck Gym
Facing their former import who’s now standing in for Justin Brownlee at Ginebra, the Aces built an early lead and weathered every comeback attempt by the Gin Kings at the latter's own practice facility.
Tony Campbell paced the Aces with 22 points, but did most of his work early by scoring 13 of his output in the opening canto as Vic Manuel and Simon Enciso brought the Aces home to win their second straight tune-up game after beating TNT last week.
“We still have a long ways to go,” Aces coach Alex Compton insisted. “Tune-up games are all about learning.”
The Gin Kings pulled to within six points down the stretch, but Encisco scored on an open layup created off a nifty fake behind-the-back pass to give the Aces the needed breathing room.
Edwards fired a game-high 29 points to lead the Gin Kings, who lost their second straight tune-up game after bowing to GlobalPort on Tuesday.
The Aces try to make it a hat-trick of tune-up wins as they face NLEX on Friday at the their training facility, the Gatorade Hoops Center.
The scores:
ALASKA 81 – Campbell 22, Manuel 9, Thoss 9, Abueva 7, Casio 7, Racal 7, Banchero 5, Enciso 4, Exciminiano 3, Baclao 2, Magat 2, Teng 2, Cruz 2
GINEBRA 75 – Edwards 29, J. Aguilar 11, Tenorio 8, Mercado 8, Devance 7, Mariano 6, Caperal 4, Manuel 3, Thompson 3, Ferrer 2, Caguioa 2, R. Aguilar 2
Quarterscores: 23-14, 34-31, 63-55, 81-75
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