ALASKA BEATS TALK ‘N TEXT FOR SHARE OF 3RD

Wendell McKines returned like a battering ram after being neutralized by Meralco the last time out, erupting for a PBA best of 38 points to power Alaska Milk to a 112-104 win over Talk n Text in a high-scoring duel at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Friday night.

Held to 13 points by the Bolts Tuesday, McKines lost no time to strut his stuffs in this game, again displaying brute force that carried the Aces to their third win in five outings in the season-ending PBA Governors Cup.

“I thought we got Wendell in his comfort zone. He played with a lot of energy today,” said Alaska coach Luigi Trillo of their import’s huge performance keying the win that moved the team to joint third with Barako Bull.

Sonny Thoss contributed 16 points and 11 rebounds while Cyrus Baguio chipped in 15 markers helping Alaska gain headway in the third quarter before going all the way to win the contest.

The Aces relegated the Texters to a heavy four-way tie at sixth place with the Ginebra Kings, the San Mig Coffee Mixers and the Globalport Batang Pier at 2-3.

“Wendell’s a big fellow. He fills in large space and we take advantage of that,” said Thoss of their prized import.



“We did well in not turning the ball over. Credit goes to Meralco, their defense made us turn the ball over. But enough is enough, our guys went out with a sense of urgency,” Trillo said.

The Aces put in one of their best games in the tournament thus far and, in the process, humbled the Texters despite the return of another Gilas Pilipinas hero in Jimmy Alapag.

Alapag nailed two treys and issued five assists in his first outing with the Texters in this conference.

McKines and Tony Mitchell engaged in a hot shootout as the two teams fought to a 48-all tie at the half.

But as the Alaska locals joined forces with McKines, the Aces opened double-digit spreads in the third quarter and kept the Texters at bay the rest of the way.

Disappointed, the Texters incurred no less than four technical fouls in the payoff period, the last from coach Norman Black.

Jason Castro, Ranidel de Ocampo and Alapag tried to carry TnT back into the fight, 98-103, but Thoss, McKines and RJ Jazul answered with a 9-3 attack and the Aces cruised through to victory.

McKines showed a new facet in his game, rifling in two three-pointers. He went 13-of-18 overall from the field and 10-of-14 from the stripe while also coming through with 16 rebounds, two blocks, one assist and one steal.

Mitchell, on the other hand, delivered 30 points, 12 rebounds and three assists against three turnovers. (SB)

The scores:

Alaska 112 – McKines 38, Thoss 16, Baguio 15, Espinas 9, Hontiveros 9, Jazul 8, Dela Cruz 8, Casio 6, Abueva 3.

Talk N’ Text 104 – Mitchell 30, De Ocampo 17, Castro 15, Anthony 10, Peek 9, Alapag 7, Al-Hussaini 6, Aban 6, Fonacier 4, Reyes 0, Carey 0.

Quarters: 19-16, 48-48, 86-76, 112-104

Source: http://pba.inquirer.net/30205/alaska-beats-talk-n-text-for-share-of-3rd