The Alaska Aces kickstarted their southern sojourn on a high note as they escaped the hosts M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos, 83-81, in the 2013 Sinulog Cup yesterday at the Cebu Coliseum.
In the second game, import Renaldo Balkman scored 28 points as Petron beat sister team Barangay Ginebra, 90-83.
As he did best in his stint during the Philippine Cup, rookie sensation Calvin Abueva sparked the Aces with a third period outburst, wherein he scored nine of his 18 points to tow them to a 61-57 lead after a 34-all deadlock at halftime.
Cebuano wingman Dondon Hontiveros then kept the Aces going with three straight jumpers for a 68-59 bulge with 6:23 left in the game.
But the Niños of head coach Raul “Yayoy” Alcoseba did not back down and came within two, 81-83, after a three-point play by Ben Mbala with eight seconds left.
Mbala missed the bonus throw but the Niños were able to grab the offensive board. They had a chance at a game-winning or tying basket but Stephen Padilla was caught stepping out of bounds.
Alaska import Robert Dozier had 21 to pace the Aces. The Niños got 23 from Mbala.
Arwind Santos, meanwhile, added 15 for Petron while Alex Cabagnot chipped in 12.
Mark Caguioa led Ginebra with 15 points.
Alaska seeks their second win today when they battle Ginebra while the Niños face the Petron Boosters at 5 p.m.