BOOSTERS CLINCH ELIMS TOP SPOT
The Petron Blaze Boosters just made good their vow of not getting satisfied with a Top Four finish.
The Boosters went all the way to the top in outlasting the Alaska Milk Aces, 103-100, in a gripping battle Friday night at the Philsports Arena.
“Our mindset is we want to play no matter what the situation is. We want to build character for our team,” said Petron coach Gie Abanilla as his team hardly relaxed versus the Aces though they’re already assured of a Top Four berth at the close of the PBA Governors Cup elimination round.
The Boosters fought the Aces tooth and nail, and came out victorious on a stronger finish, thus, streaking to a seventh straight victory after a losing conference debut.
At 7-1, they’re guaranteed of the top spot at the close of the short elims phase regardless of the result of their last game against the Globalport Batang Pier Sunday at the Cuneta Astrodome.
The Aces fell to 3-4, needing to sweep their last two games in the elims against the Barako Bull Energy and the Air21 Express to have a shot at the Top Four or at least make the quarterfinals.
The Commissioner’s Cup champs were in the battle versus the Boosters until Dondon Hontiveros’ three-pointer attempt trickled out in the dying seconds.
“Dondon almost made that shot. Muntik pang mag-overtime,” sighed Abanilla.
It was a bruising, nip-and-tuck battle with Petron gaining headway at the finish, 99-95, on clutch baskets by Elijah Millsap, Junmar Fajardo and Marcio Lassiter.
Down by three at 100-103, the Aces were no longer able to recover on three-point misses by Wendell McKines, Calvin Abueva and Hontiveros.
“People are expecting us to win every time but Alaska is a tough team. They gave us a tough time,” said Abanilla.
“We didn’t want to think about the streak. We just wanted to improve every game. I think we need games like this,” Abanilla added. “We were tested. Our mental toughness was tested.”
Millsap was a big catalyst, coming through with 35 points and 12 rebounds.
Marcio Lassiter and Chico Lanete were of big help, contributing 19 and 16 points, respectively.
“Elijah is a great import. What makes him a greater player is he makes people around him better. He is one of the leaders of this team,” said Abanilla.
The Boosters shook off a flat start, unleashing a 14-to-nothing blast to surge ahead, 30-27, in the first quarter.
They built their own 10-point spread at 86-76 early in the fourth quarter before having to fend off Alaska’s own fightback. (SB)
The scores:
Petron 103 – Millsap 35, Lassiter 19, Lanete 16, Santos 10, Fajardo 7, Lutz 7, Tubid 5, Kramer 2, Cabagnot 2.
Alaska 100 – McKines 33, Thoss 17, Abueva 16, Casio 13, Baguio 10, Dela Cruz 6, Hontiveros 4, Eman 1, Jazul 0, Espinas 0.
Quarters: 30-27, 51-45, 79-74, 103-100
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