By Diego de la Paz
CUBAO, Philippines (Eagle News) – Mahindra continues its surprising run to the top of the standings in the 2016 PBA Governors’ Cup, this time defeating Alaska in a come-from-behind, 101-95 victory on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
After trailing by as much as 16 points down through the first three periods, Mahindra mounted a huge comeback in the fourth quarter led by import James White and unsung hero Keith Agovida.
White tallied 32 points and 15 rebounds in 43 minutes on the floor, while Agovida scored all of his 11 points during Mahindra’s second half comeback bid.
Agovida got help from wingmen Iman Zandi and Mike DiGregorio to claw their way from a 15 point halftime deficit, 39-54, to a more manageable five point margin, 81-86, midway through the fourth period.
The 23-year old White then took control of the game by scoring seven of team’s 12 points since that mark to tie the ballgame at 93-all on a three-point play with 2:17 left.
After an ill-advised three-point miss from Alaska import LaDontae Henton, DiGregorio buried a jumper from the left wing, followed by an easy basket by Agovida after two empty possessions from the Aces to put Mahindra up by four, 99-95, with 43 seconds left.
White put the exclamation point on a breakaway dunk with 22 seconds left to settle the final tally.
Calvin Abueva, fresh off a one-game suspension, accounted for 21 points; while Henton led Alaska’s cause with 33 points and 14 rebounds.
The win placed Mahindra (4-0, won-lost) atop the standings with TNT KaTropa, which won its game against NLEX earlier in the night. Alaska, on the other hand, slid to 1-3 after losing back-to-back contests.
Manny Pacquiao played a cameo role in the place of LA Revilla, who injured his nose in practice and is due for surgery. However, he managed to miss his lone attempt in three minutes and led to Alaska’s breakaway late in the first quarter.
BOX SCORES:
MAHINDRA 101 – White 32, Ramos 14, Canaleta 13, Agovida 11, Zandi 9, Digregorio 7, Taha 5, Elorde 4, Bagatsing 3, Aguilar 2, Yee 1, Ballesteros 0, Guinto 0, Pacquiao 0, Pinto 0, Jaime 0.
ALASKA 95 – Henton 33, Abueva 21, Banchero 8, Exciminiano 8, Jazul 6, Thoss 6, Dela Cruz 4, Menk 3, Casio 2, Dela Rosa 2, Hontiveros 2, Baclao 0, Magat 0, Manuel 0, Racal 0.
Quarters: 23-31, 39-54, 65-74, 101-95