By Michael Angelo S. Murillo, Senior Reporter
THE Alaska Aces raced to a 2-0 record in the Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup after routing the TNT KaTropa, 125-96, in Sunday action at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Got off to a fiery start to open the contest, the Aces proved too hard to break for the KaTropa as they chalked up the win for early leadership in the standings of the season-ending PBA tournament.
Guard Simon Enciso got the Alaska fireworks going, knocking four triples inside the first five minutes of the opening quarter to help his team to 14-3 advantage.
The rest of the Aces picked up from there, establishing a 22-point cushion, 35-13, by the end of the first quarter.
In the second quarter TNT came out more aggressive, angling to narrow their deficit.
The KaTropa got to within 13 points, 46-33, with 4:50 to go in the frame.
But the Aces was quick to stop the bleeding thereafter with Mr. Enciso, import Mike Harris and Chris Banchero leading the way.
The Aces outscored the KaTropa, 22-6, for the remainder of the quarter to extend their lead to 68-39 by the halftime break.
TNT tried to claw its way back to start the third canto but Alaska was not to allow the KaTropa to get their way.
The count stood at 88-57 with 4:40 to go with the Aces on top.
When the third-quarter smoke cleared, the lead ballooned to 35 points, 103-68.
In the fourth quarter Alaska chose to play its bench but it hardly slowed down the motor of the Aces.
Alaska was ahead, 113-80, with 6:57 left in the game and held steady to the win after.
Mr. Enciso led Alaska with 30 points, going nine-of-12 from beyond the arc.
Mr. Harris had 16 points and 24 rebounds while Mr. Banchero finished with 15 points and 14 assists.
Import Stacy Davis, meanwhile, led TNT (1-3) with 26 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists with Troy Rosario adding 16 points.
“We were on fire as typified by Simon Enciso. I loved the energy of the team,” said winning coach Alex Compton following the game.
“Hopefully we get to sustain this kind of character in our next games,” he added.