Alaska loses to Purefoods

The Alaska Aces wilted under the grinding pressure to bow to the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants, 76-86, and yield the championship of the 2010 PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum, last Wednesday.

The Giants swept Alaska 4-0 in the finals the same way that the Aces swept the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings 4-0 in the semifinals.

Willie Miller drained a triple to cut the Purefoods lead to only five points, 76-81, with still 2:14 to go in the game. The triple capped a 9-4 Alaska run which almost erased a 67-77 Purefoods lead.

James Yap countered with his own triple to extend the Purefoods lead back to eight points, 76-84, with 1:48 to go.

The left-handed Miller then scooted in to convert a right-handed layup. But his basket was waved off as he was called by the referees for a charging foul, effectively ending the rally of the Aces.

Roger Yap finalized the tally, 76-86, on a jumpshot.

The Aces attacked the paint often and were rewarded for their aggressiveness with points inside the paint or given free throws by the referees. But nerves got the better of the Aces who missed 15 free throw attempts, converting only 17 of 32 free throws or an appalling 53 percent conversion rate.

Early in the fourth period Reynel scored on a layup as the Aces crept closer to the Purefoods lead, 65-68, with still 8:13 to go in the game. But James Yap scored back-to-back layups to power a 7-0 Purefoods run as the Aces fell behind by 10 points, 65-75.

Sonny Thoss, finally unhampered by early fouls, turned in his best game of the series scoring 19 points and grabbing 12 rebounds.

Miller, always at the heart of the Alaska offense, submitted 17 points to go with six rebounds and four assists.

LA Tenorio scored 11 points, grabbed five rebounds, issued six assists and had two steals. He was also chosen Delivery Assist Player of the Conference in simple ceremonies before the start of the game.

James Yap was named Best Player of the Conference.

Reynel Hugnatan had nine points and 10 rebounds. But he also had six turnovers.

Jeff Cariaso had five points and a rebound while playing quality minutes off the bench.

Joe Devance bled for his points. He scored only four markers despite playing 33 minutes on the floor. He also grabbed two rebounds and two assists. He missed six of 10 free throws given to him.

Larry Fonacier and Tony Dela Cruz both had four points. Fonacier also tallied a steal. Dela Cruz had two clean blocks.

The 4-0 conclusion was only the third sweep tallied in a PBA championship. Swift blanked Seven-Up 4-0 to win the Third Conference finals in 1992. Northern Consolidated Cement swept Manila Beer, 4-0, to win the 1985 Reinforced Conference championship.

Purefoods threatened to turn the game into a rout early. Marc Pingris and Roger Yap scored a layup each as the Giants extended their lead to 13 points, 35-22, with still 5:57 to go in the first half.

Miller then unloaded eight points in the second period alone to lead the Aces comeback as Alaska tied the count, 40-40, at halftime.

The scores:

Alaska 76 - Sonny Thoss 19, Willie Miller 17, LA Tenorio 11, Rey Hugnatan 9, Jeff Cariaso 5, Joe Devance 4, Larry Fonacier 4, Tony Dela Cruz 4, John Ferriols 2, Brandon Cablay 1, Mark Borboran 0.

Purefoods 86 - James Yap 18, Roger Yap 16, Kerby Raymundo 13, Rico Maierhofer 12, Marc Pingris 9, Peter Jun Simon 5, Rafi Reavis 5, KG Canaleta 3, Paul Artadi 3, Jondan Salvador 2, Don Allado 0.

Quarter scores: 15-15, 40-40, 58-65, 76-86.