Alaska got its bearing going in the fourth period to hack out a 108-97 win over Phoenix and stay unscathed in the 2018 PBA Governors' Cup on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Aces nearly blew a 12-point lead but hung tough to preserve a 3-0 record while dealing the Fuel Masters their first loss after a 2-0 start.
Alaska found its groove early in the fourth period and zoomed to a 10-0 run capped by Chris Banchero's basket to take a 97-85 advantage.
Phoenix refused to go down without a fight. Calvin Abueva, playing against his former team, scored in transition to bring his team to within seven, 97-104 with 1:36 remaining.
But Noy Baclao would restore order in the ensuing play, swishing in a jumper on top of the key before Banchero scored on a breakaway layup to seal the win.
Import Mike Harris led Alaska's balanced attack with 23 points to go with 11 rebounds, two assists, three blocks, and a steal.
Banchero put up solid outing with 19 points four rebounds, nine assists, and two steals, while Simon Enciso followed up a fiery performance by hitting six three-pointers on his way to 18 markers.
Baclao finished 15 markers, seven rebounds, two assists, and the same number of blocks and earned the praise of Alaska head coach Alex Compton.
"I thought Noy was fantastic. Noy got the job that no player wants (stopping imports) Noy had the hardest job and I'm happy he's player of the game," Compton said after the match.
Although Baclao did all he could to contain Eugene Phelps, the prolific import still wound up with 27 markers and 24 rebounds. But he turned the ball over eight times inalmost 45 minutes of play.
Jason Perkins had 20 markers, while Abueva chimed in 18 points, nine rebounds, and two assists in his first game against the Aces, the team which traded him a few weeks ago.
THE SCORES
ALASKA 108 - Harris 23, Banchero 19, Enciso 18, Baclao 15, Manuel 9, Racal 8, Casio 5, Exciminiano 5, Teng 4, Pascual 2.
PHOENIX 97 - Phelps 27, Perkins 20, Abueva 18, Wright 13, Chua 6, Jazul 6, Intal 5, Revilla 2, Wilson 0.
Quarterscores: 19-22; 49-54; 83-78; 108-97.
EXTRA DRIBBLES
Noy Baclao's 15 points was his second highest scoring output in an Alaska uniform.
Calvin Abueva and former teammate Jake Pascual had a brief altercation in the first period. This happened after a rebound play that ended up with Pascual sustaining a bloody eye.
NEXT GAMES
Alaska - vs Ginebra on September 2 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum
Phoenix - vs TNT on August 31 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum