PBA: Alaska threatens to sweep, dominates Star for 2-0 series lead

The Alaska Aces are one win away from completing a sweep against the Star Hotshots after posting a commanding 95-74 victory in Game 2 of their semifinals series on Friday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.

Romeo Travis had 19 points and 14 rebounds, but it was the Aces' bench that did the damage, combining for 57 points. Calvin Abueva led the bench with 11 points and six boards, while Noy Baclao and Ping Exciminiano added 10 each. Chris Banchero and Vic Manuel had nine apiece, while Dondon Hontiveros added eight.

After being knotted up in the first, the Aces rode a 10-2 run late in the second, before heading off into the break with a six-point lead, 47-41.

Come the third, Noy Baclao and Chris Banchero combined for Alaska's final six points to erect a 13-point lead heading into the payoff period.

A Dondon Hontiveros trey opened up the fourth, pushing the lead up to 16 before Star made its run. The Hotshots were able to trim the deficit to as little as eight with 6:36 left, 80-72, but a 13-0 blast capped by a Banchero make with 57 seconds left had Alaska cruising to another win.

Marqus Blakely led Star with 19 markers, but PJ Simon and James Yap were the only other Hotshots who did any damage. Simon came off the bench for 17, while Yap added 10. - GMA News


The scores:

ALASKA 95 - Travis 19, Abueva 11, Baclao 10, Exciminiano 10, Banchero 9, Manuel 9, Baguio 8, Hontiveros 8, Casio 7, Thoss 4, Dela Rosa 0, Jazul 0.

STAR 74 - Blakely 19, Simon 17, Yap 10, Mallari 8, Pingris 7, Pennisi 5, Melton 3, Barroca 3, Devance 2, Taha 0, Maliksi 0.

Quarters: 23-23, 47-41, 71-58, 95-74