Alaska overcomes Phoenix for win number 5

The Alaska Aces dominated the Phoenix Fuelmasters in the fourth period to grab their fifth win, 105-97, in the PBA Philippine Cup elimination round on Thursday.

Trailing 75-71 at the end of the third period, the Aces made a 34-point rampage over the Fuelmasters’ 22 in the final frame. A 10-0 run in the fourth quarter gave the Aces an 89-80 advantage with 7:15 left.

Justin Chua broke the ice for Phoenix but another 8-0 charge gave Alaska an 97-82 cushion, enough to give them the win despite Matthew Wright’s shots late in the game to trim their deficit to a single digit.

Vic Manuel dropped 24 points and seven rebounds for Alaska while Mike Digregorio chipped in 21 on 4-of-7 treys.

The Aces are now 5-3 while Phoenix slides to 4-3.

Alaska will try to scare Barangay Ginebra on Nov. 1, while Phoenix will go against Rain or Shine on Saturday.

Box scores:

Alaska 105 -- Manuel 24, Digregorio 21, Casio 13, Herndon 12, Teng 9, Brondial 8, Ayaay 6, Tratter 5, Ebona 4, Ahanmisi 3, Galliguez 0, Publico 0.

Phoenix 97 -- Wright 27, Abueva 18, Chua 15, Perkins 10, Jazul 9, Intal 8, Garcia 7, Marcelo 2, Heruela 1, Napoles 0, Rios 0.

– RC, GMA News