Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — For the nth time, the Alaska Aces leaned on defense to turn back the Star Hotshots, 95-74, in Game 2 of their Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors’ Cup semifinal duel at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum on Friday (July 3).
Defense worked wonders anew for the Aces, who held the Hotshots to just two points in the final six minutes while dropping 15 points to pull away.
“I believe in the second half our guys played good defense,” said Alaska coach Alex Compton. “Our defense really got us going. We showed our character.”
Related: Alaska takes headstart with come-from-behind win over Hotshots
Alaska is now a win away from securing a slot in the finals, thanks in part to two unlikely heroes in Noy Baclao and Ping Exciminiano who sparked the 15-2 surge in the homestretch. Both players chipped in 10 points.
But it was import Romeo Travis who led the Aces most of the way with 19 points, 14 rebounds, four assists, and three steals.
The 2-0 advantage in the best-of-five duel, though, doesn’t put the Aces in a prime position to book the coveted ticket to the last dance according to Compton.
Interestingly, Alaska has never held a 2-0 advantage in a race-to-three battle since the 2013 Commissioner’s Cup finals against Ginebra. The Aces went on to win the title that conference.
“It’s not yet done,” he said. “It’s finished only after we win a third game which would surely be a battle.”
The Hotshots were paced by import Marqus Blakely’s 19 points.
