MANILA — Once again getting big numbers from their prized rookie Calvin Abueva, the streaking Alaska Aces blasted the skidding Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings, 87-69, Sunday to post their fourth straight win in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum. Abueva led all scorers with 19 and nearly had another double-double, snatching nine boards. He also had three assists, a steal and countless hustle plays that fuelled Alaska's offense. “He can really intimidate,” Alaska head coach Luigi Trillo said of his prized rookie, this year's second draft pick and collegiate standout. “And to do it at the four spot (power forward) is amazing to think he's just 6'1”,” Trillo added. JV Casio also had a huge role in the Alaska victory, scoring 16 points. Cyrus Baguio added 14, while RJ Jazul and Sonny Thoss chipped in with 12 each. The win allowed Alaska to join Rain or Shine at the second to third place in the standings, both with a 4-2 win-loss card. Frustrated no end by the tenacious and uncompromising Alaska defense, the anemic Kings trailed throughout the game as they suffered their fourth straight defeat after winning their first two games. The Kings shot a miserable 22-of-61 from the field as they fell into a tie with the Barako Bull Energy Cola at seventh to eighth spot. Dylan Ababou played his first game with the Kings this season and led his team with 14 points. Ababou's triple put Ginebra within three points, 51-48, in the third quarter. But that was the closest the Kings could go as the Aces responded with an 11-0 run to put the game away. Alaska even led by as high as 20 points, 81-61, after Baguio and Casio drilled successive three pointers to bury the Kings into submission. In the first game of the Sunday double-header, Rafi Reavis came up with a defensive gem in the last two seconds of the game as the San Mig Coffee Mixers eked out a 92-91 win. With just seconds remaining, Barako Bull's Enrico Villanueva launched a shot but as the ball was still bouncing on the rim, Reavis jumped to swat the ball away to preserve the Coffee Mixers' victory. Barako Bull players and officials erupted in protest, claiming that the referees should have whistled Reavis for goal tending and the goal counted. “We were robbed of victory,” Barako Bull coach Junel Baculi cried. “They should let the players decide. If you asked my opinion, it was counted,” he added. San Mig Coffee head coach Tim Cone disagreed. “I don't see any controversy there. That's legal in our league,” he said. “We're using FIBA rule (on goaltending). You can knock the ball on the rim. It's not the NBA rule anymore,” he explained. The Energy Colas were down by as many as 12 points in the third period but launched a furious assault in the fourth quarter behind the guns of Ronald Tubid who led his team with 17 points. James Yap led San Mig Coffee with 21 points, while Peter June Simon scored 15, including the winning basket. The Mixers scored their third win in five games to join the Meralco Bolts into a tie for fourth to fifth slot. The Energy Colas suffered their fourth loss in six games.
