Alaska Aces Win 2007 PBA Fiesta Cup

Defense wins championships.

The Alaska Aces proved that again by foiling the Talk N Text Phone Pals’ offense in four of their five final possessions to post a scrambling 99–96 decision and win the 2007 Philippine Basketball Association Fiesta Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome.

The seventh and final championship game was close from start to finish with 12 deadlocks and 12 lead changes.

“What makes winning so special is when you worked so hard to win,” said Alaska coach Tim Cone. “Pure competition is when your opponent pushes you to the limit. As tremendous as it is to win, it is just as devastating to lose. Congratulations also to the Talk N Text. What a team they are. They pushed us to the limit. ”

Willie Miller penetrated down the middle of the court then sank a looping layup to push Alaska on top 96–94 with 1:17 to go in the game.

Macmac Cardona tried to equalize. He charged past Miller but the PBA MVP slapped the ball from Cardona’s hand creating another turnover for Alaska.

At the Alaska offensive end Rosell Ellis scored on his own hook shot to push Alaska even farther ahead, 98–94, with 44 seconds to go.

Sullinger tried to make things happen in Talk N Text’s next possession. He spun into the lane but landed smack into the teeth of an Alaska triple team. Sullinger tried to get off a shot but his jumper was blocked by Ellis.

Miller was fouled in Alaska’s next possession but he muffed two charities with time down to 28 seconds.

Talk ‘N Text closed in at 96–98 on a short stab by Jay–jay Washington.

After Alaska’s unproductive offense, Cardona, kicked out to an open Belano for a possible game–winning three–pointer. Belano missed the target and Hugnatan, who ripped down the rebound, was quickly fouled.

With a second to go Hugnatan missed the first free throw but inexplicably converted the second shot instead of missing it to allow the time to expire.

Hugnatan’s free throw hiked the Alaska lead to three points, 99–96, but allowed N Text to call a timeout with one second to go in the game.

The whole west side of the square Cuneta Astrodome was a sea of yellow–shirted Talk N Text fans. The other half of the Astrodome was filled with the red–shirted crowd of Alaska fans.

During the break the Talk N Text fans stood up and started chanting “Talk N Text, Talk N Text,” to pump up their players. Almost immediately the Alaska fans responded with their own chant of “Go Alaska, Go Alaska.”

Talk N Text threw in to JJ Sullinger who had a chance to send the game into overtime but his three–pointer hit the backend of the inner rim and bounced out just as the buzzer sounded.

Sullinger fell backward and sat on the floor near the midcourt stunned as the Alaska players and fans erupted into delirious celebration.

The Alask Aces were the 2007 Philippine Basketball Association Fiesta Conference champion.

Box scores:

Alaska 99
Ellis 30, Miller 22, Hugnatan 16, Ferriols 9, Cortez 9, Thoss 7, Laure 3, Belasco 3, Singson 0.

Talk N Text 96
Sullinger 30, Cardona 29, Washington 12, Belano 10, De Ocampo 9, Allado 4, Carey 1, Billones 1, Pablo 0.

Quarter scores: 25–26, 45–53, 70–72, 99–96