MANILA – Vic Manuel scored on a game-winning floater as Alaska Aces escaped with a 105-103 victory over San Miguel Beermen in the 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Saturday night.
After Beermen erased Alaska’s lead – which reached as high as 22 points – for a 103-all score, Manuel attacked San Miguel’s defense before scoring a floater at the buzzer to clinch the win for Aces.
Manuel finished the match at the Lamberto Macias Sports and Cultural Center in Dumaguete City with 23 points.
Jvee Casio chipped in 18 markers, including three triples, while Chris Banchero had 15 points and import Anthony Campbell and Calvin Abueva made 13 points apiece for Aces (4-1) to share the top spot with Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and TNT KaTropa.
Aces zoomed to an early 11-2 start. Hits by Banchero and Kevin Racal allowed for a 28-20 lead at the end of the first quarter. Beermen slowly clawed its way back to cut the deficit 35-40 but Aces turned to Manuel and Marion Magat to increase the lead 57-43 at the half.
Alaska continued its torrid shooting at the onset of the third period and built its largest lead 72-50 on a Casio triple. Beermen had another run to come to within 72-81 heading into the fourth.
Aces was still hanging to a double-digit lead in the fourth when Beermen went on a huge run to tie the count 100-all on a Chico Lanete triple. The game was tied 103-all before Manuel went for the winning shot at the heart of Beermen’s defense.
Renaldo Balkman posted double-double 32 points and 13 rebounds, rookie Christian Standhardinger added 22 while Marcio Lassiter contributed 20 for Beermen (0-3), the defending champion./PN
