ALASKA TOP 4 BID STILL ALIVE WITH SQUEAKER OVER BARAKO BULL
Just when they had painstakingly picked up the pieces of their shattered image, the Alaska Aces came harrowingly close to breaking it again.
On a two-game winning streak after getting blown into smithereens less than two weeks ago, Alaska saw a 13-point lead in the final 70 seconds cut down to three by Barako Bull before time run out, allowing the Aces to hang on, 90-87, yesterday in the penultimate date of the PBA PLDT Home Telpad Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Nothing much was at stake for Barako Bull, which has already secured a playoff spot as the eight seed, and it showed in the Energy Colas’ indifference during a seven-minute stretch in the fourth quarter when the Aces were breaking away.
From a 70-69 deficit, which had been 13 at one point in the first half, Alaska went on a 19-5 run capped by back-to-back 3-point shots from Jayvee Casio to open an 88-75 advantage.
During that run, the Energy Colas, who wrapped up the elimination round tied with the Meralco Bolts on 3-6 win-loss cards but clinched the last slot via the winner-over-the-other rule (95-94 in the inaugural), turned the ball over on six possessions and were starved for points except for a top-of-the-key triple by Dave Marcelo and a Willie Miller jumper.
It should have been over by then. But the Aces left the door unlocked and the E-Colas came barging back in.
A Mick Pennisi trey sparked a 7-0 Barako Bull run which Casio broke up with two free throws for 90-82, with 31 seconds left.
Under ordinary circumstances, a three-possession advantage should have been enough. But since their 51-point loss to Rain or Shine on June 4, things had become a little rocky for the Aces although post-apocalyptic victories over San Mig Super Coffee and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel had helped them right the ship somewhat.
This was a case in point.
After Miller hit a banked shot following an offensive rebound, Tony dela Cruz, one of Alaska’ steadiest free throw shooters, missed two foul shots. Miller then galloped upcourt and turned back time with a triple over Cyrus Baguio with 11 seconds remaining, putting fear in the hearts of the Aces, who were still fanning hopes of making it to the top four.
Barako Bull managed to put Henry Walker on the line with 5.6 seconds to go. But Walker, 2 of 3 from the line up to that moment, withered under pressure and also missed both.
Allen Durham collared the rebound. But with no more timeouts left to call, he was forced to dribble and launch a long Hail Mary shot from the backcourt which had virtually no way of finding the basket.
Only then did the Aces exhale.
“This conference has really become an adventure,” said Alaska coach Alex Compton. “I just have to credit Barako Bull. They did not give up to the end. Our second half defense was the key.”
Casio led Alaska with 20 points and five assists while Walker added 17 with eight rebounds. The Aces were outrebounded, 52-43, and hit four less 3-point shots. But they took extra care of the ball, turning it over on only five occasions while forcing the E-Colas to give up 18 points from 16 miscues.
The ballyhooed Allen Durham had 17 points and 22 rebounds. But he committed five turnovers and was kept in tight quarters all game long by Alaska’s double-teaming defense.
Alaska now awaits the outcome of Monday’s game at the Big Dome.
The Aces’ best shot at making it to the top 4 with a 5-4 record is for Rain or Shine (5-3) to beat San Mig Super Coffee (5-3), putting them in the company of the Mixers and the San Miguel Beermen, both of whom they had beaten earlier.
A Rain or Shine win, of course, throws the Aces back to the fire. (WJRHT)
Scores:
ALASKA 90 – Casio 20, Walker 17, Thoss 13, Abueva 10, Espinas 9, Manuel 7, Jazul 5, Baguio 4, Hontiveros 3, Belasco 2, Dela Cruz 0.
BARAKO 87 – Durham 17, Miller 15, Pennisi 14, Fortuna 13, Jensen 8, Miranda 8, Najorda 4, Marcelo 4, Custodio 4, Thiele 0, Lastimosa 0, Wilson 0, Isip 0.
Quarters: 18-22, 38-49, 64-64, 90-87
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