Getting solid numbers from workhorse import Jason Forte and two reserves, the Alaska Aces bounced back from a blowout loss to the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters to finally nail their first win in the semifinal round of the 36th PBA Governors’ Cup last night at the Araneta Coliseum.
Forte finished with 36 points and 16 rebounds, powering the Aces to an 88-81 come-from-behind win over the Petron Blaze Boosters.
Forte shot just 10-for-18 from that free throw area but up made for his woeful shooting with his tremendous work ethic, collaring every loose ball that helped the Aces rally from a 12-point third quarter deficit.
The Aces committed 15 turnovers in the first half that resulted to 12 Petron fastbreak points.
Capitalizing on Alaska’s erroneous plays, the Boosters erected a 53-41 lead early in the third.
The Aces uncorked a 12-0 run to tie the contest, 53-53, but the Boosters recovered and took a 65-60 lead going into the fourth.
With second stringers Bonbon Costudio and Brandon Cablay leading a furious attack, the Aces finally took control in the fourth, never looking back after stealing the lead, 74-72 with 7:18 left.
Custodio scored 11 points while Cablay had nine, seven in the fourth as the duo filled the slack vacated by the injured Cyrus Baguio, whose absence was heavily felt by the Aces in thier 85-103 loss to the Texters last Friday.
BOX SCORES
ALASKA 88 – Forte 36, Custodio 11, Dela Cruz 10, Cablay 9, Gonzales 7, Thoss 6, Tenorio 4, Reyes 3, Eman 2, Borboran 0.
PETRON 81 – Grundy 22, Al-Hussaini 16, Cabagnot 10, Salvacion 7, Duncil 6, Santos 6, Pennisi 5, Miranda 5, Ildefonso 2, Yeo 2.