ALASKA Milk survived a late rally by NorthPort to eke out a thrilling 87-85 win at the start of the 2021 PBA Governors’ Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

Robbie Herndon hit a fallway jumper with 30.1 seconds left to put the Aces ahead, 86-85, after the Batang Pier rallied from double-digit deficits to take.

A split by JeronTeng with 6.3 seconds left finalized the score.

NorthPort actually had two chances to snatch the win, but Robert Bolick missed two outside shots, including a desperation halfcourt heave as time expired.

The win by Alaska also spoiled the debut of veteran Arwind Santos, who almost singlehandedly led the Batang Pier back into the game.

Santos made the game a lot more exciting in the final quarter, hitting three straight three-pointers while keeping the Aces at bay with his defensive prowess.

Import Olu Ashaolu shone brightest for Alaska, finishingwith 20 points and 14 rebounds.

Teng contributed 19 points, four rebounds and three assists in the Aces’ winning start.

Santos, who was acquired by NorthPort in a blockbuster trade with San Miguel Beer last month, topscored with 23 points.

NorthPort import Cameron Forte added 18.

“In any conference you always want to start off on the right foot, so we’ll take any win we can,” said Alqska coach Jeff Cariaso in an interview posted at the PBA website.

“You try to win early, you try to get early wins as you start to get the timing back, the feel of playing back. As you can tell there was still a lot of rust so again just happy to pull it off,” added Cariaso.

Later, NBA veteran KJ McDaniels finished with 27 points and 11 rebounds as NLEX brought down San Miguel Beer, 114-102.

Five other players scored in double figures for the Road Warriors, who rallied from 11 points down in the second quarter to pull the rug from under the new-look Beermen.

Backing up McDaniels were Kevin Alas, Don Trollano, Philip Paniamogan, Jericho Cruz and JR Quinahan, who scored at least 10 points each.

Brandon Brown debuted with 36 points for San Miguel, although he was held to only nine in the second half.

June Mar Fajardo and new recruit Vic Manuel added 20 and 17 points, respectively.

The scores:

First game

Alaska (87) — Ashaolu 20, Teng 19, Herndon 13, Taha 8, Ahanmisi 7,Tratter 6. Tolomia 6. DiGregorio 5, Racal 3, Brondial 0.
NorthPort (85) — Santos 23, Forte 18, Slaughter 18, Malonzo 10, Bolick 8, Rike 5, Taha 2, Dolguez 1, Elorde 0, Balanza 0, Grey 0, Ferrer 0.
Quarterscores: 19-18, 41-39. 68-60, 87-85.

Second game

NLEX (114) — McDaniels 27, Alas 12, Trollano 12, Paniamogan 11, Cruz 10, Quiñahan 10, Rosales 9, Magat 8, Oftana 7, Semerad 5, Miranda 3.
San Miguel (102) — Brown 36, Fajardo 20, Manuel 17, Perez 11, Lassiter 7, Romeo 6, Enciso 2, Tautuaa 2, Pessumal 1.
Quarterscores: 22-28, 52-49, 86-77, 114-102.