Jeron Teng tallies career-high 30, Alaska mounts late comeback in win over Terrafirma

The Alaska Aces needed to erase a big deficit late before they completed a huge come-from-behind win over the Terrafirma Dyip, 102-97, on Saturday in the PBA Governors' Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

Down 20 at one point in the third quarter, 81-61, and 17 at the start of the payoff period, 83-66, Alaska banked on the debuting Allyn Bulanadi and guard Jeron Teng as they denied the Dyip the win.

Bulanadi, who was recently signed by the Aces, scored seven of the Aces' points in an 11-4 run that trimmed their deficit to only 10, 87-77.

Alaska continued to chip away at the lead with Alex Stockton bringing them within a single point, 94-93, with 3:07 remaining. Teng then followed that up with three consecutive baskets, all of them unanswered, as they took a 99-94 lead.

Teng scored 12 of the last 19 Alaska points, including the go-ahead basket at 95-94 that gave them their first taste of the lead since the 4-2 mark in the first quarter.

He finished with a career-high 30 points on 72 percent shooting to go along with five rebounds, three steals, and two assists as Alaska improved to 5-2 behind three consecutive wins.

Terrafirma, meanwhile, slid to 2-5.

"We knew how important this game is. Every game we're inspired by all the players before us, coaches, the management, and the fans," Teng shared.

Abu Tratter was also a key cog, finishing with a double-double of 21 markers and 10 rebounds while import Ola Ashaolu, who was troubled with fouls all game long, tallied 11 points and 19 boards.

The win by Alaska spoiled a stellar performance from Terrafirma import Antonio Hester who had a triple-double of 24 points, 14 rebounds, 11 assists, three steals, and a block.

"This Terrafirma, like I said, is another young and hungry team like us. They have a wonderful import as he's a handful," said Aces coach Jeff Cariaso of Hester, who also had a monster performance in the Dyip's previous win over Blackwater.

"I think being down 17 was really because of our poor defense and us giving them confidence."

The scores:

Alaska 102 - Teng 30, Tratter 21, Ashaolu 11, Bulanadi 10, Ahanmisi 7, Digregorio 4, Ilagan 4, Herndon 4, Stockton 4, Faundo 4, Tolomia 3, Adamos 0, Publico 0, Racal 0.

Terrafirma 97 - Hester 24, Munzon 21, Tiongson 16, Go 11, Calvo 8, Daquioag 8, Cahilig 5, Camson 4, Pascual 0, Ramos 0, Batiller 0.

Quarterscores: 20-25, 42-48, 66-83, 102-97.

—JMB, GMA News