After a slow conference start, Alaska has found a way to complete the quarterfinals cast.
The Aces booked the last ticket to the next round by turning in a resounding 106-90 upset rout of top seed NLEX in the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City Wednesday night.
Franko House came up with one of his best games of the tournament when it mattered most, scoring a game-high 24 points, eight rebounds and five assists for a near triple-double.
In support of House, five more Aces scored in twin-digits, led by Kevin Racal, Abu Tratter and Jvee Casio, who each scored 12 markers.
Alaska, by virtue of a superior quotient, is now through to the quarterfinals as the No. 7 seed with its 5-6 card, sinking NorthPort to No. 8.
It will face either Meralco or TNT in the next round with a twice-to-win disadvantage.
A loss could’ve sent the Aces to a knockout game for No. 8 against Columbian. Instead, the Dyip were sent packing.
As for the Road Warriors, who were already locked at No. 1 regardless of the result, they ended their campaign at 8-3 and will face the Batang Pier in the quarters with a twice-to-beat incentive.
Carrying all the motivation and the desperation, Alaska showed just how badly it wanted to make the quarters the easier way by coming in with all the fire it needed.
Through a 10-2 run to end the first canto, the Aces were able to grasp control right away, carrying a 10-point lead, 33-23, into the second frame.
With everything clicking, the Aces even shifted to a higher gear in the second, creating more distance as they upped their lead to 22 gigantic points, 61-39, after two free throws from Kevin Racal with 1:46 left in the first half.
Apparently, that’s all Alaska needed to breakthrough as NLEX was unable to respond in the second half, enabling the Aces to sail the rest of the way.
Manny Harris led NLEX with a team-high 22 points with nine boards.
Meanwhile, as of press time, TNT KaTropa (7-3) and San Miguel Beer (6-4) are locked in a heated battle as they dispute the last place in the top four and the final twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinals.
The victor enters the top four while the loser drops to No. 5 and will instead have a twice-to-win disadvantage in the next phase.