Foiled by the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters on Christmas Day, the Alaska Aces made sure they will be the ones who will welcome the New Year with a more vibrant mood. Flipping the script in the second half, the Aces completed their fightback from 19 points down, carving out a thrilling 93-88 victory on Saturday night to move a win away from sealing a PBA Philippine Cup finals berth at the Mall of Asia Arena. Smarting from a 91-98 setback in Game 4 two days ago, the Aces suffered a sluggish start, even trailing by as many as 18-37, but turned up the heat in the second canto then outlasted the Painters in a nervy finish to take a crucial 3-2 lead in their best-of-seven semifinals series. The Aces can close out the Painters with a victory in Game 6 on January 4., hoping to arrange a race-to-four finals showdown with the San Miguel Beer Beermen, who completed a four-game sweep of the Talk ’N Text Tropang Texters in another semis pairing last Friday. Do-it-all wingman Calvin Abueva bounced back with a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds while four other teammates, including guard Cyrus Baguio, had at least 11 markers for the Aces, exploded for 35 points in the third canto then mustered enough goods to survive the Painters in a cardiac finish in the stretch. Lanky Raymund Almazan had 16 points while guard Paul Lee, centers Beau Belga and JR Quinahan had at least 10 markers but the Painters still ran out of steam in the critical juncture after exploding for 37 points in in the first 14 minutes of play. The Aces, however, quickly clawed their way back behind a 17-0 counterattack then turned the tables around by continuing to pour it on in the third canto, turning a six-point halftime deficit into a 76-67 lead capped by Dondon Hontiveros’ buzzer-beating triple that kissed off the glass. The Painters tried hard to re-seize control but the Aces had delivered ample answers, courtesy of Baguio, Abueva and center Sonny Thoss. A completed three-point play by Paul Lee off an Abueva foul kept the Painters in the thick of things at 88-92 with 1:41 left, sending the game into a pulsating finish. Both teams traded misses from there on, but none proved bigger than Lee’s lay-up over Alaska counterpart JVee Casio in the closing seconds, sealing Rain or Shine’s big collapse. The Main Man: Out of focus in Game 4, Calvin Abueva was back at his usual do-it-all form as he finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Honorable Mentions: Complementing Abueva’s fine performance were the likes of veterans Cyrus Baguio, Sonny Thoss and Dondon Hontiveros. Game Turning Point: Things started to fall into place for the Aces in the second canto but they completely controlled the pace in the third canto as they exploded for 35 points, gaining enough momentum to close out the Painters. Stat of the Game: Once again, the Aces manhandled the Painters in the battle of the boards, hauling down 65 rebounds, 13 more than their rivals’. Next Game: Alaska vs. Rain or Shine, Game 6, on January 4 (Sunday) at the Mall of Asia Arena He Said It: Alaska coach Alex Compton: In the first half they played great. They’re agressive, theyre making shots and they were really good. Our guys played with energy and got us back in the game. I expected this kind of game that until the last possession your hearts in your throat. Were a team, wala namang bida sa amin. I think its the fortitude of the guys we have on the team. Rain or Shine plays the same. We kept playing hard. The group that got the lead down to six, they were fantastic. All we got ourselves was a twice-to-beat edge. Its not easy and not a guarantee that well get there. Of all the match-ups, pinaka lugi kami sa head coaching. At this point I dont think anybodys getting momentum. The scores: ALASKA 93 - Baguio 16, Abueva 16, Thoss 13, Manuel 13, Hontiveros 11, Menk 7, Banchero 5, Casio 5, Exciminiano 2, Dela Cruz 2. RAIN OR SHINE 88 - Almazan 16, Lee 14, Quinahan 13, Belga 10, Chan 9, Uyloan 8, Norwood 5, Tang 4, Arana 4, Ibanes 2, Teng 0, Tiu 0. Quarter scores: 18-29, 41-47, 76-67, 93-88. https://ph.sports.yahoo/news/one-win-away--alaska-moves-closer-to-finals-with-game-5-win-over-painters-120639529-nba.html
Posted on: Sat, 27 Dec 2014 13:36:07 +0000
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