By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
THE Alaska Aces are heading into the next round of the Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup after chalking up a key victory in their final game of the elimination round, beating the NLEX Road Warriors, 106-90, on Wednesday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Needing to win to gain outright entry into the quarterfinals of the season-ending PBA tournament, the Aces did exactly what they had to do on the lead of import Franko House.
Alaska had firm control of the opening half with its offense having it crisp.
The Aces were on top 33-23 after the opening quarter and had a 63-47 lead at the half.
NLEX tried to gain some traction in the second half but Alaska was not to buckle down from the pressure and held on strong to book the all-important win.
The victory pushed the Aces to a 5-6 record, eliminating in the process the Columbian Dyip (4-7).
Had Alaska lost, it had to play Columbian in a one-game playoff for the last quarterfinal spot.
It also moved past the Northport Batang Pier, on the strength of a better tiebreaker quotient, for number seven in the next round.
Mr. House led all scorers for Alaska with 24 points.
Kevin Racal, Abu Tratter, and Jvee Casio supported him with 12 points each.
For NLEX import Manny Harris top-scored witth 22 points.
Despite the loss, the Road Warriors (8-3) still hold the top spot and will battle number 8 team Northport in the quarters with a twice-to-beat advantage.
