Thursday, October 05, 2006 Alaska clobbers Coca Cola 99-84
THE Alaska Aces rebounded with fury from their loss in the conference-opening game in Guam, as they buried the Coca Cola Tigers, 99-84, in the first game yesterday of the Talk N Text Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
After absorbing a 93-99 debacle to the Red Bull Barakos in Guam, the Aces finally found the winning formula yesterday, as they took control of the game early on with Mike Cortez leading the charge.
Cortes sunk 12 of his 23 total points in the opening period to give the Aces the edge.
In the ensuing period, Cortez teamed up with Willie Miller in taking charge of Alaska's scoring chores, as the Aces took a 49-36 edge at the bend.
The Tigers of coach Binky Favis trimmed the gap at the start of the third canto, 44-50, after launching a rally anchored on Ali Peek, Denok Miranda and John Arigo.
But the Coke rally turned out to be short-lived as the Aces once again extended their advantage, 89-73, after a run again spearheaded by Cortez and Miller with Jeffrey Cariaso joining in the fray.
After that, the Tigers never again threatened Alaska's hold of the driver's seat until the final buzzer.
Miller was adjudged Best Player of the Game awardee after finishing the game with 26 points while Cariaso added 17 of his own.
The tamed Tigers were headed by Arigo, who registered 26 points. (JSV)
