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PBA: No momentum-shift yet says Harris

Mike Harris of the Alaska Aces moves in against Romeo Travis of Magnolia. Alaska won, 100-71. (PBA Images)

by Jonas Terrado

Mike Harris refused to describe Alaska’s 100-71 victory as a momentum-shift as he prepares for a Magnolia counter in Wednesday’s crucial fourth game at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

With Harris erupting for 36 points, Chris Banchero and Simon Enciso regaining a bit of their lost form and reserve Carl Bryan Cruz providing quality minutes, the Aces prevented the Hotshots from going 3-0 up in the best-of-seven series with a lopsided win at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

But Alaska’s triumph, Harris said, could only put gas on Magnolia’s fire as the series takes a two-day break.

“We haven’t done anything, we just prevented a sweep,” said Harris. “I think now we got their attention a little bit more, but they have our attention as well. They lead 2-1 and now they get a day off and we know how (Magnolia) plays well when they’re fresh.

“We gotta be prepared. In the locker room, there’s no big celebration moment because we haven’t done anything, we just avoided going down 3-0. This is a marathon, not a sprint and I think our guys responded well.”

Harris’ 22 points in the third, including a string of 18 straight, allowed Alaska to take a 34-point lead to end the competitive phase of Game 3.

Before Harris’ hot streak, it was the trio of Banchero, Enciso, and Cruz who led the Aces’ relentless play and the improved offense even as Magnolia couldn’t adjust to the increased level of physicality.

Banchero and Enciso, along with quality minutes of Abel Galliguez finally saw Alaska outplay the Magnolia backcourt which has been the difference in the previous two games.

“I think their guards still did a really good job,” Harris said. “But I just think we responded appropriately, this time, instead of letting them dictate where our offense will start at.”

Tags: Alaska Aces , Carl Bryan Cruz , Chris Banchero , Magnolia , Mike Harris , Romeo Travis , Simon Enciso