One more to go

The Alaska Aces moved closer to their 13th Philippine Basketball Association crown after beating the San Miguel Beermen, 90-83, in Game 4 and post a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven championship series of the 2010 PBA Fiesta Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome last Friday.

LA Tenorio, back playing at full strength, unloaded a team-high 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds while masterfully orchestrating his team all game long.

It was an intense game, said Alaska coach Tim Cone. We felt we needed to raise the level of our play after Game 3 and we were able to do that. We were able to make key plays here and there to be able to pull off the win. But this is one of the toughest games I have been involved with.

The Aces bounced back from a humiliating 80-96 loss in Game 3 and could win the championship with a victory on Sunday.

The opportunity is there, obviously, and we will go for it, said coach Tim. But we know how good San Miguel is. They adjust very well.

Cyrus Baguio added 15 points. Import Diamon Simpson was limited to just 14 markers by the San Miguel help defense. Anthony Washington was the first line of defense and another San Miguel big rotated to help whenever Simpson tried to power inside. Simpson still excelled, grabbing 18 rebounds and tallying four blocks in 43 minutes of action on the floor.

The key was Diamon who was so unselfish, said coach Tim. He did not score as much but got everybody involved. Reynel (Hugnatan), Tony (Dela Cruz) and Joe (Devance) did a good job on Anthony (Washington) and Arwind (Santos).

Gabe Freeman gave the Beermen their last taste of the lead with back-to-back baskets at the start of the fourth, 67-66, but it was all Alaska from then on. The Aces ignited a 16-5 explosion to post a commanding 82-72 advantage with 2:32 left in the game.

Alaska had to endure a horrible start.

In the first three minutes. Cyrus Baguio committed a traveling violation while trying to pivot past Dondon Hontiveros. LA Tenorio committed a charging violation while going through a screen.

In that time San Miguel rattled off six straight points to start the game, 6-0.

The Beermen threatened to pull away early erecting 20-13 bubble late in the first half. But the Aces closed out the period with a 7-4 run to trim the lead to 20-24 at the end of the first quarter.

It became a see-saw battle in the second quarter as both teams exchanged runs. Neither team refused to let up their defense.

After Alex Cabagnot drilled a floater to give SMB a 28-22 lead, Simpson ignited a quick 6-0 bomb to tie the score at 28-all with 8:34 left in that stage.

Alaska even took a 34-32 lead on Mark Borboran’s jumper but Santos and Freeman teamed up for a 10-4 run to reclaim the lead at 42-38 with 2:02 remaining.

Joe Devance drained a jumpshot in the next play and Baguio stole Cabagnot’s pass intended for Freeman that led to a break-away lay-up against Hontiveros sending the game to a 42-all tie going to the halftime break.

Freeman had eight of his 14 points in the second period at halftime while Simpson already had 10 markers and 8 rebounds.

The scores:

Alaska 90 - LA Tenorio 21, Cyrus Baguio 15, Diamon Simpson 14, Joe Devance 12, Reynel Hugnatan 9, Larry Fonacier 7, Tony Dela Cruz 6, Sonny Thoss 4, Mark Borboran 2.

San Miguel 83 - Gabe Freeman 28, Arwind Santos 15, Danny Ildefonso 11, Alex Cabagnot 8, Denok Miranda 6, Jay Washington 5, Jonas Villanueva 2, Joseph Yeo 2, Olsen Racela 2, Dondon Hontiveros 2, Mick Pennisi 2.

Quarter scores: 20-24, 42-42, 66-63, 90-83.