Alaska Aces rip Magnolia for 2-2 Governors’ Cup Finals series tie

Alaska Aces’ Chris Banchero (left) puts the ball away as Magnolia Hotshots’ Andy Mark Barroca tries to steal it. PBA

MANILA – Mike Harris backed up his Best Import citation with a strong showing as Alaska Aces knotted the 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup Finals series after a 90-76 Game 4 win over Magnolia Hotshots on Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The former NBA player tallied a monster double-double of 33 points and 22 rebounds for the Aces, which tied the best-of-seven showdown 2-2 with their second straight victory.

Chris Banchero added 17 markers, six rebounds and five assists, while Jake Pascual came up with 9 markers and five boards for Alaska.

Magnolia made a 7-2 start, but the Aces countered with their own rally to tie the count 12-all before surging to a 19-16 lead on back-to-back treys by Kevin Racal. The Hotshots regained the lead 22-19 on two straight triples by Travis.

The Hotshots were still up 24-21 early in the second canto but an 8-0 run by Alaska behind Carl Bryan Cruz and Jeron Teng put them up 29-24. The lead grew further 42-32 at the half with baskets from Harris and Banchero.

In the third, the Aces were up 43-34 when the Hotshots went on a huge run to cut the deficit 46-48. The Aces were quick to restore order as inside shots from Harris and Vic Manuel and triples from Abel Gallinguez and Banchero made for a 63-50 lead.

Alaska went on to build their largest lead 71-54 with scoring from Harris and Pascual. Magnolia made their last push with shots from Paul Lee and Barroca to cut the deficit 69-78 with over two minutes left.

The Aces barred the Hotshots from getting closer with baskets from Banchero and Pascual before sealing the win through a corner triple from Banchero for an 87-73 lead with exactly a minute left.

Travis led the Hotshots with 29 points and 13 rebounds, while Lee – the Best Player of the Conference awardee – and Ian Sangalang added 14 and 11 markers, respectively./PN

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SCORES

ALASKA 90 – Harris 34, Banchero 17, Pascual 9, Racal 8, Teng 7, Galliguez 5, Manuel 4, Cruz 3, Baclao 3, Enciso 0, Exciminiano 0, Casio 0

MAGNOLIA 76 – Travis 29, Lee 14, Sangalang 11, Barroca 8, Jalalon 7, Reavis 4, Brondial 2, Melton 1, Dela Rosa 0, Herndon 0

QUARTERS – 19-22, 43-32, 63-50, 90-76

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