ALASKA CLAIMS FIRST FINAL 4 TICKET
Alaska found a game-changer in a near brawl late in the third period, igniting a fightback that knocked Barangay Ginebra San Miguel out of the PBA Governors’ Cup.
The Aces went on a rampage after the fracas that netted four technical fouls and went all the way to ease out the Kings, 114-108, in their quarterfinals matchup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Friday night.
Ginebra was sitting on a 72-61 cushion before the game-stoppage sparked by an exchange of head-butts between Calvin Abueva and Orlando Johnson joined in by Kings’ playmaker LA Tenorio and coach Frankie Lim.
All four were slapped a technical foul.
At the resumption of play, the Aces went roaring en route to the stirring come-from-behind victory that carried them to the best-of-five semifinals against either the Star Hotshots or the GlobalPort Batang Pier.
“It’s a highly charged environment and that really happens. What I appreciate in the guys was that they just settled down and played the way we wanted to play,” said Alaska coach Alex Compton.
“I don’t get into that. I don’t encourage our guys to get into that. I’d rather something like that doesn’t happen. You see I didn’t pay attention to it when it’s being replayed,” Compton also said.
While the refs gathered to review the commotion on the video, Compton huddled with his team on their bench.
“They kept their composure. They showed tremendous character fighting back from a 16-point deficit,” said Compton.
Vic Manuel, rested the whole first half, came out and strung up 14 big points in the last 13 minutes of play while Romeo Travis was a steady force throughout piling up 29 points, 21 rebounds and six assists.
Sonny Thoss, Dondon Hontiveros and Cyrus Baguio also played a big part as the Aces beat out the Gin Kings every inch of the way after the fracas.
From the melee, Alaska unleashed a 16-3 run to race ahead at 77-75 at the end of the third.
And at 87-84, Manuel, Travis and Chris Banchero teamed up in a 12-to-nothing backbreaker that stretched Ginebra’s fruitless campaign to seven full seasons.
Johnson fired away 28 points but the bulk of which were made when the Aces had seized control. (SB)
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer & other 70+ titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download as early as 4am & share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.
