The Alaska Aces open up the 46th PBA season with a victory over the Blackwater Elite, 103-77, at the Ynares Center in Pasig City.
Simon Enciso came off the gates firing nine of Blackwater’s 15 points but Alaska’s total team effort gives them the one-point lead to end the first quarter.
Both teams went neck-and-neck in the second quarter. Enciso added 10 points on his total while Jeron Teng came alive doing five points for Alaska. Marion Magat’s free throw ties the game at 39-all heading to the second half.
Enciso has tallied 19 points at this point and it is his best scoring output in the first half of his career.
Rodney Brondial goes down in the third period with an injury with a suspected hyperextended right knee and won’t return. He tallied 6 points, seven rebounds and three assists in 18:47 minutes of playing time.
Mike Tolomia steps up to start the fourth period to trail by only six points coming in the 8-minute mark. Digregorio counters and helps mount an 18-point lead for Alaska approaching the final two minutes of the game and coast through for the victory.
Enciso had 23 points and five three-pointers for Blackwater in the loss while Mike Tolomia did 15 points to help in the scoring department. Ed Daquioag had a notable performance doing 12 points, five rebounds, two steals and one block.
The Aces will try to go 2-0 and take on Terrafirma Dyip on Wednesday, July 21 while Blackwater has a day of rest before going up against Rain or Shine Elasto Painters on Sunday, July 18.
The scores:
Alaska 107 – DiGregorio 20, Taha 16, Tratter 13, Banal 8, Ilagan 8, Herndon 7, Teng 7, Brondial 6, Casio 5, Ahanmisi 2, Browne 0, Publico 0
Blackwater 77 – Enciso 23, Tolimia 15, Canaleta 7, Amer 4, Semerad 2, Desiderio 2, Acuno 0
