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SERVICES
THE INQUIRER COMPANY
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04
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19
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2024
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SERVICES
THE INQUIRER COMPANY
04
19
2024
Alaska Milk delayed its execution, fighting with a great resolve to smother Rain or Shine, 111-99, Friday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and force a Game Five in the 2016 PBA Commissioner’s Cup best-of-seven finals.
The Aces made good their vow of fighting for each possession, exerting tremendous effort every inch of the way to survive a fourth do-or-die setto in the post-elims play.
With their pressing game clicking, the Aces led all the way in foiling the Elasto Painters’ first of four cracks at wrapping up the series.
Still with a commanding 3-1 lead, the E-Painters try to close out the series for the second time Sunday also at the Big Dome.
Chris Dozier, Chris Banchero, Calvin Abueva, Cyrus Baguio, Sonny Thoss and RJ Jazul all scored in double figures as the Aces snapped a six-game losing streak in PBA Finals dating back to the Philippine Cup.
Dozier top scored with 23 points and added eight rebounds while Banchero and Abueva combined for 31 markers off the bench as Alaska missed what should’ve been a third 0-4 loss in PBA championship playoffs.
Heading to their dugout ahead of the rest for a second technical foul in the homestretch, Abueva raised his hand, flashing “5” – indicating to the crowd that there’s a Game Five to be played.
Alaska has survived two do-or-die games in the quarterfinals versus Tropang TNT and a deciding Game Five in the semifinals opposite Meralco.
The Aces buckled down to work early and clipped the E-Painters throughout with a defense that didn’t work in the first three games.
Imposing their game in the second quarter, the Aces took command and brought a 15-point lead, 54-39, over into the final half.
Alaska played with tremendous energy and, with a swarming press, forced Rain or Shine to 13 turnovers just in the first 24 minutes of play.
Averaging 54 first-half points in the first three games, the E-Painters were held to 39 in this match.
Maverick Ahanmisi went 3-of-3 from the field and 4-of-4 from the stripes for 11 points, but no other ROS player scored more than six in the opening half.
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