Alaska Aces grab top spot

The Alaska Aces waited for their last possible chance but grabbed the second outright seat to the Semifinals and the top spot after the eliminations of the PBA Philippine Cup with a 95-94 victory over the Rain Shine Elasto Painters at the Antipolo Ynares Center Friday.

“It’s one of those things we try to tell our players: you can’t relax if things are going well because you can’t just turn on your intensity when you need to. Obviously we didn’t handle the long 21-day break well. We didn’t practice hard and we came out ‘kampante’ when we played the games. When we needed to win we became tight when faced with the sudden pressure,” said Alaska coach Tim Cone.

The Aces roared off to a blazing 11-1 start in the eliminations then promptly lost four of their next five games to wind up with 12-5 card and needing to win their last game.

It took the heroics of Willie Miller, who scored the team’s final nine points, to propel the Aces to victory and finally push them over the hump and into the semifinals with a 13-win, 5-loss slate.

“That was my fault entirely,” said Cone. “I didn’t push our players hard enough during our practices. We lost our edge in the long break and we just couldn’t turn it back on when we needed to. I didn’t do a good job. I hope we learn our lesson and step up a lot more during the coming long break.”

The Aces gained the no. 1 spot after the eliminations even though they ended up tied with the San Miguel Beermen (13-5) because Alaska beat the Beermen twice: 122-116, last Dec. 9; and 85-74, last Oct. 17.

The rest of the teams include the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants (12-6), the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings (12-6), the Talk n Text Tropang Texters (11-7), the Sta. Lucia Realtors (10-8), the Coca-Cola Tigers (6-12), the Burger King Whopper (6-12) and the ousted Barako Bull Energy Boosters (3-15).

Miller virtually carried the Aces on his broad shoulders. He scored the last nine points to power Alaska to victory. He scored a triple to push the Aces to an 89-85 lead with 4:49 to go in the fourth period. He then converted three more baskets to push his team to victory and into the semifinals.

“Iyong huling panalong kailangan naman talaga ang pinakamahirap makuha,” said Miller. “Ayaw na naming mapunta sa playoffs kaya ginawa na namin ang lahat para manalo ngayong gabi.”

Miller finished with 23 points, 12 rebounds and five assists to walk away with Player of the Game honors.

With the Elasto Painters ahead by a point, 93-94, Miller took the ball then dribbled once before banking in the winning basket, 95-94 with 12 seconds to go.

Sol Mercado had one final chance to win the game for Rain or Shine. He faked a jumpshot then burst past Larry Fonacier only to be cut off in the paint by a double team by Rey Hugnatan and Sonny Thoss. Mercado then elevated to take a shot but he was blocked from behind by Larry Fonacier to preserve the Alaska victory.

Fonacier finished with six points, issued five assists, tallied one steal and made the most important block of the evening that was not recorded by PBA statisticians.

Joe Devance and LA Tenorio had identical 15 markers. Devance also grabbed five rebounds and issued two assists. Tenorio also had six assists, three steals and two rebounds.

Rey Hugnatan and Sonny Thoss were pillars inside the paint tallying a pair of double-doubles for the evening. Hugnatan had 11 points and 11 rebounds. Thoss had 10 points, 11 rebounds and one block.

Tony Dela Cruz had nine points, four assists, two rebounds and one steal.

John Ferriols had four points and five rebounds.

The Aces were surprised by the intensity of the Elasto Painters as Rain or Shine jumped out to a 9-0 start. Sol Mercado then drained a difficult triple as the Aces fell behind by 11 big points, 12-1.

Dela Cruz led the Alaska comeback. He unloaded seven first quarter points as the Aces eventually cut the Rain or Shine lead to only 22-24 after the first period.

Just like the opening quarter the Elasto Painters came out in the second period breathing fire and eventually posting a 33-24 lead with 10:12 to go in the second quarter. Hugnatan then took his turn scoring on inside incursions to cut the Rain or Shine lead. The Elasto Painters held on as the Aces trailed 47-53 halftime lead.

The scores:

Alaska 95 - Willie Miller 23, Joe Devance 15, LA Tenorio 15, Rey Hugnatan 11, Sonny Thoss 10, Tony Dela Cruz 9, Larry Fonacier 6, John Ferriols 4, Jeff Cariaso 2, Mark Borboran 0.

Rain or Shine 94 - Sol Mercado 35, JayR Reyes 14, Jeff Chan 12, Don Dulay 12, Gabe Norwood 5, Jervy Cruz 4, Ryan Arana 4, Marcy Arellano 2, Eddie Laure 2, Mike Hrabak 2, Mark Telan 2, Jireh Ibanes 0.

Quarter scores: 22-24, 47-53, 72-75, 95-94.