Teng, Aces pummel listless Picanto

MANILA, Philippines — Alaska cruised to its second straight victory in the PBA Philippine Cup at the expense of a hapless Kia side, Sunday night at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

Rookie Jeron Teng flirted with a double-double to lead the Aces, finishing with 23 points and nine boards. 

Alaska, which has lost their its two games in the conference, simply clicked on all cylinders. The Aces drew double-digit scoring from five players to deal Kia its 16h straight loss since the last season.

"I really appreciate the effort of the guys today defensively. I think we got our teeth back on defense,” head coach Alex Compton said of his Aces. 

“[Although] I thought our defensive energy was a little undirected in the first half and it caused us to give up some baskets we don't want to give up. In the second half ,it was a little more focused.”

Kia leaned on Rashawn McCarthy and Eric Camson but their offensive edge withered away after the halftime break.

Alaska will try to keep their streak alive against Barangay Ginebra when they tangle on Sunday, January 21, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo; while Kia will try to arrest their terrible skid under new mentor Ricky Dandan when the take on Meralco on January 24 at the Big Dome.

The Scores:

ALASKA 102 — Teng 23, Cruz 16, Banchero 11, Abueva 10, Manuel 10, Pascual 10, Enciso 8, Galliguez 5, Thoss 5, Exciminiano 2, Potts 2, Casio 0, Racal 0.

KIA 65 — McCarthy 16, Camson 15, Tubid 13, Ababou 5, Caperal 4, Reyes 4, Cabrera 3, Celda 3, Yee 2, Galanza 0, Jamon 0, Paniamogan 0, Sara 0. 

Quarters: 20-21, 39-34, 75-39, 102-65.