PBA Round 5 (Philippine Cup): Alaska Aces hand first defeat to Rain or Shine

Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

Rain or Shine (3-1) recorded its first loss in Manila on Wednesday night. Hosts were rolled over by ninth ranked Alaska Aces (2-2) 74-48. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Rain or Shine. Alaska Aces held Rain or Shine to an opponent 20.9 percent shooting from the field compared to 38.5 percent accuracy of the winners and made 16-of-21 free shots (76.2 percent) during the game. Alaska Aces outrebounded Rain or Shine 57-40 including a 48-26 advantage in defensive rebounds. 24 personal fouls committed by Rain or Shine helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The best player for the winners was the former international forward Abu Jahal Tratter (196-93) who had a double-double by scoring 12 points and 13 rebounds. Guard Maverick Ahanmisi (188-91, college: Minnesota) chipped in 10 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Javee Mocon (193-95) produced 0 points and 10 rebounds for the hosts. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Alaska Aces moved-up to fifth place, which they share with NLEX RW. Rain or Shine at the other side keeps the second position with one game lost. They share it with Meralco Bolts and SM Beermen. Alaska Aces is looking forward to face higher ranked Meralco Bolts (#4) in Manila in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Rain or Shine will have a break next round.
Bottom-ranked Blackwater Elite (0-4) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 99-80 loss to fourth ranked SM Beermen (3-1) in Manila. But it was rather predictable considering how strong their opponent was. Center June Mar Fajardo (210-89) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 11 rebounds. Arwind Santos contributed with 10 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. American guard Simon Enciso (180-91, college: NDN) answered with 25 points and 4 assists for Blackwater Elite. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. SM Beermen have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to second place, which they share with Meralco Bolts and Rain or Shine. Blackwater Elite at the other side still closes the standings with four games lost. SM Beermen's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Manila to the arena .

In the last game of round 5 Meralco Bolts defeated Phoenix in Manila 91-80.
The best stats of 5th round was 23 points, 7 assists and 6 steals by Chris Newsome of Meralco Bolts.

SM Beermen - Blackwater Elite 99-80

Bottom-ranked Blackwater Elite (0-4) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 99-80 loss to fourth ranked SM Beermen (3-1) in Manila. But it was rather predictable considering how strong their opponent was. They dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Blackwater Elite's 34 and made 18-of-21 charity shots (85.7 percent) during the game. They outrebounded Blackwater Elite 52-41 including a 42-25 advantage in defensive rebounds. Center June Mar Fajardo (210-89) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 11 rebounds. Forward Arwind Santos (193-81) contributed with a double-double by scoring 10 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. Five SM Beermen players scored in double figures. American guard Simon Enciso (180-91, college: NDN) answered with 25 points and 4 assists and guard Mike Tolomia (191-93) added 12 points and 6 assists in the effort for Blackwater Elite. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. SM Beermen have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to second place, which they share with Meralco Bolts and Rain or Shine. Blackwater Elite at the other side still closes the standings with four games lost. SM Beermen's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Manila to the arena .
Top scorers:
Blackwater Elite: S.Enciso 25+4ast, K.Nabong 12+6reb, M.Tolomia 12+2reb+6ast, E.Daquioag 9+5reb+1ast, R.Escoto 5+2reb, P.Desiderio 5+4reb
SM Beermen: J.Mar Fajardo 16+11reb+3ast, J.Perez 14+5reb, M.Lassiter 13+2reb+1ast, A.Cabagnot 12+2reb+2ast, P.Zamar 11+4reb+1ast, V.Rolfe Pessumal 10+1reb+2ast

Rain or Shine - Alaska Aces 48-74

Rain or Shine (3-1) recorded its first loss in Manila on Wednesday night. Hosts were rolled over by ninth ranked Alaska Aces (2-2) 74-48. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Rain or Shine. Alaska Aces held Rain or Shine to an opponent 20.9 percent shooting from the field compared to 38.5 percent accuracy of the winners and made 16-of-21 free shots (76.2 percent) during the game. Alaska Aces outrebounded Rain or Shine 57-40 including a 48-26 advantage in defensive rebounds. 24 personal fouls committed by Rain or Shine helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The best player for the winners was the former international forward Abu Jahal Tratter (196-93) who had a double-double by scoring 12 points and 13 rebounds. Guard Maverick Ahanmisi (188-91, college: Minnesota) chipped in 10 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Javee Mocon (193-95) produced 0 points and 10 rebounds and guard Adrian Wong added 9 points respectively for the hosts. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Alaska Aces moved-up to fifth place, which they share with NLEX RW. Rain or Shine at the other side keeps the second position with one game lost. They share it with Meralco Bolts and SM Beermen. Alaska Aces is looking forward to face higher ranked Meralco Bolts (#4) in Manila in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Rain or Shine will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Rain or Shine: W.Adrian 9+2reb+1ast, N.Torres 7+3reb+1ast, C.Andrei 6+5reb+1ast, J.Ponferrada 6+2reb+2ast, R.Nambatac 5+4reb+2ast, B.Belga 5+5reb+1ast
Alaska Aces: J.Rodney Brondial 13+6reb+1ast, T.Abu Jahal 12+13reb+1ast, M.Ahanmisi 10+6reb+4ast, M.Digregorio 9+1reb+3ast, J.Alvin Teng 6+5reb+2ast, G.Banal 5+5reb+1ast

Phoenix - Meralco Bolts 80-91

There was no surprise in Quezon where 10th ranked Phoenix (1-3) was defeated by third ranked Meralco Bolts (3-1) 91-80. Meralco Bolts forced 21 Phoenix turnovers and outrebounded them 50-36 including a 21-8 advantage in offensive rebounds. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 21 assists. Phoenix was plagued by 35 personal fouls down the stretch. Guard Chris Newsome (187-90, college: Georgetown, KY) orchestrated the victory by scoring 23 points, 7 assists and 6 steals. Forward Allein Maliksi (191) contributed with 24 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. Four Meralco Bolts players scored in double figures. Naturalized Canadian guard Matthew Wright (193-91, college: St.Bonaventure) answered with 29 points and forward Vic Manuel (193-87) added 13 points and 5 rebounds in the effort for Phoenix. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Meralco Bolts moved-up to second place, which they share with SM Beermen and Rain or Shine. Phoenix at the other side keeps the tenth position with three games lost. Meralco Bolts will play against Alaska Aces (#5) in Makati in the next round. Phoenix will play on the road against Blackwater Elite (#12) in Caloocan City and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Phoenix: M.Wright 29+4reb+3ast, V.Manuel 13+5reb+2ast, R.Jazul 12+2reb+1ast, J.Perkins 9+5reb+4ast, J.Elvin Pascual 4+5reb+1ast, J.Chua 4
Meralco Bolts: M.Allein 24+7reb+2ast, C.Newsome 23+4reb+7ast, N.Pinto 11+5reb+1ast, R.Hugnatan 11+3reb+3ast, R.Belo 9+7reb+5ast, C.Hodge 7+7reb+1ast



Tags : ABU JAHAL TRATTER, ALASKA ACES, FILIPINO BASKETBALL