Aces squander another chance

[Watch the Alaska Aces gun for the second outright berth in the Semifinals when they meet the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 22 at the Antipolo Ynares Center.]

The Alaska Aces missed another chance to advance outright to the Semifinals of the PBA Philippine Cup when they lost to the Burger King Whopper, 80-87, Wednesday at the Cuneta Astrodome.

The Aces have lost four of their last five games after jumping out to an 11-1 start and easily qualifying to the Quarterfinals. They need one more victory to advance outright to the Semifinals.

The San Miguel Beermen (13 wins, 5 losses) have already qualified outright to the Semifinals.

However, a seat in the Semis is still attainable for the Aces (12-5) who remain only a victory shy of an outright berth. They gain the berth with a victory over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (4-13) on Friday, Jan. 22 at the Antipolo Ynares Center.

The rest of the teams include the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings (12-6), the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants (11-6), the Talk n Text Tropang Texters (11-7), the Sta. Lucia Realtors (10-7), the Coca-Cola Tigers (6-12) and the eliminated Barako Bull Energy Boosters (3-15).

The Aces also gain the no. 1 spot after the eliminations with one more victory because even if they end up tied with the Beermen the Aces will prevail in a tiebreak. The Aces beat the Beermen twice: 122-116, last Dec. 9; and 85-74, last Oct. 17.

The Aces started strong but gradually wilted as the game went on. Joe Devance followed up a miss by Rey Hugnatan to push the Aces to a fat 10-point lead 18-8 with 2:18 to go in the opening period.

It was a no-bearing game for the Whopper. Burger King has already been related to the Wildcard phase and gained nothing with the victory. They would have lost nothing with a defeat because the last place Barako Bull Energy Boosters could no longer catch up to them.

JR Quiniahan drained a jumper then followed up a Ronjay Buenafe miss to cut the Alaska lead. The quarter ended, 18-13, in favor of Alaska.

Jeff Cariaso converted back-to-back baskets followed by a hook shot by Rey Hugnatan against a single charity by Alex Cabagnot and the Aces hiked their advantage to a 10-point lead, 24-14, with 9:27 to go in the second period.

Quiniahan then led the Burger King comeback by converting an assortment of shots from difficult angles as the Whopper managed to grab the lead, 30-28, for the first time on a triple by Egay Billones.

LA Tenorio scored on a fastbreak layup to cap another Alaska run as the Aces held on to a slim 37-34 lead at halftime.

If the Aces lose against the Elasto Painters they face the grim prospect of having to play a sudden death one game playoff against the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings and possibly even the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants should the Giants win their match against Sta. Lucia 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Antipolo Ynares Center.

The scores:

Alaska 80 - Willie Miller 19, LA Tenorio 13, Joe Devance 12, Tony Dela Cruz 12, Sonny Thoss 8, Reynel Hugnatan 7, Jeff Cariaso 7, Larry Fonacier 2, Mark Borboran 0, John Ferriols 0, Brandon Cablay 0.

Burger King 87 - JR Quinahan 23, Ronjay Buenafe 16, Ronnie Matias 12, Wesley Gonzales 10, Richard Yee 8, Alex Cabagnot 6, Ramsey Williams 4, Beau Belga 3, Egay Billones 3, Carlo Sharma 2, Mark Yee 0, Aaron Aban 0.

Quarter scores: 18-13, 37-34, 56-61, 80-87.