Saudi Gazette MANILA — In a battle between two teams fighting for survival, the Alaska Aces proved to be the more determined, recording their highest scoring output in the PBA Governors' Cup with a 133-106 demolition of the GlobalPort Batang Pier Wednesday night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City. The Aces shot a sizzling 55 percent (51-for-92) from the field and 53 percent (14-for-26) from beyond the arc, scoring 38 points in both the third and fourth quarters. With the victory, Alaska improved to a 4-5 win-loss record, tying idle NLEX and Rain or Shine for seventh to ninth places in the standings. GlobalPort, on the other hand, dropped to 3-6, moving closer to elimination. Import LaDontae Henton paced Alaska with 33 points, 13 rebounds and four assists. He had ample local support with Calvin Abueva adding 21 points on 66 percent shooting (8-for-12) and Chris Banchero chipping in 20 markers, including a perfect 3-for-3 clip from three-point range. Three other local players — Jvee Casio, Sonny Thoss and RJ Jazul — also scored in double-digits. GlobalPort's Terrence Romeo, Stanley Pringle and import Michael Glover all posted at least 20 points that went down the drain with the loss. Phoenix 93, Blackwater 81 The Phoenix Fuel Masters continued their climb to the top, sending the Blackwater Elite crashing out of the tournament with a 93-81 victory. It was Phoenix's third straight win—and fifth overall in nine games—getting past Meralco (5-5) to take solo fifth place in the standings with even a chance to take a spot in the Top 4 and the twice-to-beat advantage that goes with it in the quarterfinals. Remarkably, the Fuel Masters won despite recording their lowest output in all their wins this conference. On the other hand, the loss was the eighth against a solitary win for the woeful Blackwater, as it remained glued to the bottom of the standings. Import Eugene Phelps was his usual explosive self, finishing with 29 points, 26 rebounds, four assists and one steal in 42 minutes. Mark Borboran was the surprise top local scorer for the Fuel Masters with his 15 points, while Simon Enciso and Cyrus Baguio added 12 and 10 markers, respectively. New Blackwater import Keala King was hardly impressive in his PBA debut, finishing with just 14 points on just 11 attempts and eight rebounds. Art dela Cruz and Carlo Lastimosa led the Elite with 18 points apiece, which meant nothing in the end. Games Friday: NLEX Road Warriors (4-5) vs. GlobalPort Batang Pier (3-5) and Mahindra Enforcers (6-3) vs. Barangay Ginebra Kings (6-2).
