PBA: Aces hold off Painters in low-scoring game

Alaska used a game-turning run in the fourth quarter to turn back Rain or Shine, 82-73, in the PBA Fiesta Cup Friday night at the Araneta Coliseum. Diamon Simpson, LA Tenorio and Cyrus Baguio outscored the Elasto Painters in the first seven minutes of the low-scoring game, 19-11, that put them in front for good, 73-66, after trailing by a point at the end of the third. Simpson capped the run by scoring the last six points, including a follow up basket. The young, talented import had 25 points and 15 rebounds as the Aces improved to 5-4 in a with the Barangay Ginebra in fourth to fifth places. “We talked about taking pride of making stops, taking pride in defense," said coach Tim Cone. “Because a great character of a team is to play great defense." Both Alaska and Rain or Shine did just that, with the score ending tied in each of the first two quarters. Tenorio, who led all Alaska locals with 19 points, buried a buzzer-beating three-pointer at halftime for a 37-37 contest. The game remained close all the way until the Aces got their acts together and came through with that biggest scoring run of the night. “I’m a bit relieved since our games always come down the stretch," said Cone, recalling how their last three matches against Barako Energy Coffee, Coca-Cola and Sta. Lucia were decided in the endgame. “It was a big win for us." Tenorio added seven rebounds and five assists and scored a three-pointer with 30 seconds left that sealed Rain or Shine’s fifth loss in nine outings, 82-73. Baguio finished with 12 points. The Elasto Painters got 14 points and 12 rebounds from import Jai Lewis while Ryan Arana and JR Reyes had 10 each. - RCJ, GMANews.TV