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Alaska Aces gun for first finals berth
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Aces celebrate game 2 win. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
The Alaska Milk Aces hope to finally end a string of playoff losses to the Star Hotshots, taking their first of three cracks at wrapping up their PBA Governors Cup best-of-five semifinal playoff Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Winning on a comeback effort Wednesday then repeating via lopsided manner Friday, the Aces are determined to make it three in a row – by whatever fashion – and snuff the life out of the beleaguered defending champs.
Alaska coach Alex Compton said they have to finish off the Hotshots as they will be dangerous for as long as they’re alive.
Compton insists they’re not looking far ahead, aware that not a few have overcome a 0-2 deficit in a PBA best-of-five series.
“Star is well capable of doing that. So we have to do our job,” said Compton.
The Aces were all business in a dominant 95-74 win Friday that sent to the team on the threshold of a second finals stint in PBA Season 40.
It could be a repeat of the Philippine Cup finals if the Aces ease out the Hotshots then the San Miguel Beer wins its own semis playoff with Rain or Shine.
“We’re not really looking beyond the semis yet. We’ll be back in practicetomorrow (Saturday),” said Compton following their Game Two victory.
Meanwhile, the Hotshots hope to again wriggle out of a tight situation.
Early on, the reigning champs rallied from a 1-4 season start then overcame a “twice-to-win” situation in the quarterfinals versus the Globalport Batang Pier.
“Alaska has been doing a great job of just playing their game, and we have to be wiser,” said Star coach Tim Cone.
One big mistake was slowing down after an 18-point lead in Game One, and the Hotshots paid dearly for it.
In Game Two, the Aces rode the momentum of their second-half juggernaught in the previous game and pushed the Hotshots on the brink of elimination.
Alaska Milk underscored the depth of its roster strength Friday, unleashing two third-string guys that made tremendous damage on Star.
Noy Baclao and Chris Exciminiano sizzled like All-Star players on the rare minutes that they enjoyed, playing solid basketball on both ends of the court to help the Aces follow up their 97-91 win in the series opener.
And with the two-games-to-nil series lead, the Aces can close it out Sunday, Tuesday or Thursday. (SB)
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