Aces end slump, rout Elite

Games Wednesday (Smart Araneta Coliseum)

4:15 p.m. – Globalport vs TNT KaTropa

7 p.m. – San Miguel vs Meralco

MANILA, Philippines – Alaska Milk stopped its bleeding and gained some relief in pulling off  a 107-87 rout of an import-less Blackwater side in the PBA Governors Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Sunday night.

With only a win to show in their last five games, the Aces came off the rut by simply pouncing on the Elite sans Eric Dawson who rested his injured back.

“Obviously, it’s a big break for us playing them without Dawson. I take this one. We couldn’t get down to 2-6,” said Alaska coach Alex Compton.

“We didn’t play fantastic but we played solid, and it’s nice to get back to the win-column. We’re not used to be where we are right now. It’s a new perspective for us,” added Compton whose team was a finalist in four of the last five PBA tourneys.

Despite the win against Blackwater, Alaska is still outside the Top Eight with a 3-5 slate.

“We now have to fight, scratch and claw. Perhaps, it’s time to get a break tonight. Hopefully, we get better as we’re battling for life. Our last three games are all against teams jostling for position,” said Compton.

The Aces take a nine-day break before playing GlobalPort (3-4) on Sept. 7, Phoenix (3-4) on September 10 and NLEX (3-5) six days later.

“Rain or Shine had a bad start last conference but got to a good finish against us. Hopefully, we can match what they had done,” said Compton.

With Dawson helpless behind their bench, the Elite got buried deeper in the cellar at 1-7.

Mathematically, they’re still in the running for the quarterfinals, but they have tough last three assignments in Phoenix, GlobalPort and San Miguel Beer.

LaDontae Henton made 33 points, eight rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block while Kevin Racal and Ping Exciminiano chipped double-digit outputs as the Aces notched their third straight win after earlier triumphs over Barangay Ginebra and Star.

Henton scattered 23 right in the first 24 minutes of play and the Aces carried a 54-36 spread over into the final half.

Right at the start of the second half, Alaska stretched its lead to 20 on a layup by Jvee Casio.

The Aces led by as many as 30 late in the third and Compton opted to rest his import in the entire fourth period.

All throughout the contest, Compton said he was thinking “(my guys,) don’t you dare get easy on them.”

Minus Dawson and top slotman JP Erram, the Elite were led by Art dela Cruz and Carlo Lastimosa with 23 and 18 points, respectively.