Alaska finally got the breakthrough it was aching to get.
The erstwhile winless Aces finally got Jeff Cariaso his first win as their coach after walloping Rain or Shine, 78-71, in a battle of the bottom two teams in the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association Governors' Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Sunday night.
Franco House had a monstrous 20-20 performance with 22 points and 23 rebounds, while Jeron Teng came off the bench with 18 markers and nine boards as the duo led Alaska's march to its first tournament win.
More importantly for the Aces, they improved to 1-5, still at the bottom though, to break their five-game slide and keep their sagging chances of making the top eight alive.
The Elasto Painters, with the loss, now share a similar slate with the Aces.
Both ailing and in dire need of a win, Alaska and Rain or Shine went at it hard but it was the Aces who swung harder.
Alaska was able to hit the ground running, opening up an 18-11 headway after the first 12 minutes of action.
Staying in striking distance, the Elasto Painters turned in a better second quarter to inch closer, 35-40, at the half.
Still, Alaska kept its grip on the lead and tightened it in the third, restoring a double-digit lead, 62-52, leading up to the fourth frame.
An 8-2 run to start the fourth got Rain or Shine back as Alaska's lead was sliced to four, 64-60, with over seven minutes remaining.
However, the Aces stood their ground, keeping the Painters at bay until they finally secured a win.
Teng's jumper with 58 seconds left proved to be the insurance as the Aces pushed their lead to six, 74-68, and held on for good.
Kayel Locke led the Painters with a game-high 25 points and 10 rebounds, but only managed to score seven points un the second half.
The scores:
Alaska 78 – House 22, Teng 18, Enciso 9, Manuel 9, Banchero 7, Ayaay 6, Tratter 5, Casio 2, Thoss 0, Galliguez 0.
Rain or Shine 71 – Locke 25, Borboran 9, Daquioag 9, Nambatac 7, Ponferada 5, Rosales 5, Belga 5, Mocon 3, Torres 2, Onwubere 1, Exciminiano 0, Alejandro 0, Norwood 0.
Quarterscores:18-11, 40-35, 62-52, 78-71.