Philippines, 30 May 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Alaska deals Magnolia worst beating in Game 3


PhilBoxing.com


The Alaska Aces found an unlikely hero in dealing Magnolia Hotshots and the Purefoods franchise its worst 29-point, 100-71 loss in any PBA finals appearance on Sunday at the Ynares Center.

Third year pro Carl Bryan Cruz, CBC to friends and relatives, who in this Governors? Cup best-of-five gold medal series had been fielded only four times where he averaged no more than five minutes, showed his coach Alex Compton and his teammates the stuff he?s really made of.

The 27-year-old, 6-foot-3 power forward from Far Eastern University provided the energy and punk the Ace lacked in the first two games of the series were they fell to a 0-2 hole on the way to exacting revenge and cut that deficit to a more manageable 2-1 going into Game 4 on Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum.

Cruz was two-of-four from beyond the arc for seven points in the third quarter as he combined with Fil-Americans Simon Enciso and Chris Banchero putting the pressure, this time, on their Magnolia counterparts and Games 1 and 2 nemesis and Marc Barroca and Jio Jalalon.

Cruz shot 10 points total for the evening, while Enciso, 12. Banchero issued 11 assists while scoring six points, grabbing three rebounds, and getting two steals.

"My teammates did a great job in the pick and roll. I think in the first half CBC really put the pressure and it opened the paint up so I was able to take advantage in the third quarter," Alaska import Mike Harris said in paying tribute to Cruz?s all-around game.

Cruz, for his part, told media men he has always been ready to play since being drafted by the Aces, adding his impressive performance couldn't have come at the most opportune time.

"Ready naman ako talaga since the start of the conference. I'm glad I was given the opportunity to play in this game. My faith in God and hard work allowed me to deliver tonight," Cruz said in Tagalog.

"Coach Alex told us that this is the most important game. We needed to win this. Kudos to coach Alex for giving us a positive mindset," said Cruz.

Mike Harris led all scorers with 36 points and 18 rebounds while exploding in the third quarter where the Aces broke the game wide open. He had 22 points in the third period.

Magnolia import Romeo Travis tweaked his right ankle in that crucial third period when he collided with Harris while he was backpedaling back on Alaska's court,

That caused Hotshots mentor Chito Victolero to rush into the court to confront Harris. Cooler heads prevented the situation from escalating.

Victolero, who was hit with a technical, later apologized during the postgame press conference, saying he got caught up in the heat of the moment.

Travis paced Magnolia with 18 points, three rebounds, three assists, and two steals in almost 30 minutes of play. Barroca had 13 points, three rebounds, and three assists.

Victolero, meanwhile, appealed for consistency from the referees, saying a rant made by Alaska coach Compton about officiating of Game Two has turned the calls in their favor.

Victolero complained that most of the calls, in fact, were in favor of Alaska as a result of Compton?s statement after a Game Two loss that Magnolia?s guards were getting away with a lot of fouls.

Victolero denied Compton?s allegations.

?I kept on reviewing the tapes. Wala namang ginagawang masama ?yung mga players ko and I think I don?t know what the referees are seeing kung ano ?yung fouls na ginagawa,? said Victolero.

Victolero said Alaska was the one which got the breaks from the referees.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Pound-for-Pound Puerto Rican Champion Oscar “El Pupilo” Collazo to Defend Unified WBA, WBO and Ring Magazine Minimumweight World Titles Against the Philippines’ Joey Canoy
    , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • Canoy now trains at MP Davao for Collazo's fight
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • Johann Chua claims Duya Airplay Sport 5800 Charity Cup Crown, pockets US$50,000 tops prize
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • “While others debate governance, the IBA continues to deliver.” IBA CEO & Secretary General Chris Roberts OBE on the organisation’s resilience and global ambition
    , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • MP Pro Announces Signed Undefeated Prospects J'Hon Ingram, Amir Anderson, David Lopez, and Kayla Gomez to Compete on "Pugilist Revolution" June 19 in Long Beach, California
    , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • Canoy to challenge Collazo on June 20
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 29 May 2026
  • UNDEFEATED SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT RONNIE ALVAREZ RETURNS TO THE RING ON JUNE 13 IN GLENDALE, ARIZONA
    , Fri, 29 May 2026
  • 20 Matchups Set for 2026 Final X, presented by Kerberos Capital Management, To Determine 2026 USA Wrestling World Championship Teams
    , Fri, 29 May 2026
  • RJJ Boxing & “RJJ Saving the Kids” Presents World Boxing Association International Middleweight Championship! Natasha “The Nightmare” Spence and Maricela “La Diva” Cornejo
    , Fri, 29 May 2026
  • Taguig boxing clinic starts
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 29 May 2026
  • Brico Santig Wins IBF “Most Active Promoter” Award
    , Thu, 28 May 2026
  • FOSTER AND FORD IN FIERY FACE-OFF IN HOUSTON
    , Thu, 28 May 2026
  • Tank Davis could return later this year
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 28 May 2026
  • GM Joey Antonio to compete in Asean Sr chessfest in Singapore
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 28 May 2026
  • Murat Gassiev to defend his WBA Heavyweight crown against Yoka at IBA PRO 19
    , Thu, 28 May 2026
  • ‘Not a Kid Anymore.’ Edward Vazquez Talks About How He’s Matured While Training to Face Daniel Lugo on ProBoxTV in Friday, June 5, Main Event
    , Thu, 28 May 2026
  • Remulla, Ferrer, Matro to grace Cavite Inter-Town Chess Tournament this weekend
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 28 May 2026
  • McHugh next for Dy
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 27 May 2026
  • Sweat, Smiles & Strategy: Ador Torres Helps Tim Tszyu Sharpen Up for Errol Spence
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 27 May 2026
  • Benavidez receives the Tollan Tlatequi WBC belt in Mexico City
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 27 May 2026
  • Llover ready to fight Angeletti on June 6
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 27 May 2026
  • Tyson Fury could return in Dublin on August 1st
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 27 May 2026
  • Long After the Cheers: Luisito Espinosa…Battle of Manila Bay 2…and an Unofficial World Record Worth Remembering
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Wed, 27 May 2026
  • Undefeated Knockout Artist Jordan Orozco (16-0, 16 KOs) Continues Rapid Ascent as One of Boxing’s Most Exciting Young Stars
    , Wed, 27 May 2026
  • USA Boxing Elite High Performance Squad Secures 13 Medals at 2026 Copa America
    , Wed, 27 May 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.