ACES, E-PAINTERS CLASH IN PIVOTAL GAME 5

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Deadlocked after four bone-jarring games, Rain or Shine and Alaska kick off a virtual best-of-3 series Saturday for a spot in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals at the Mall of Asia Arena.

With their best-of-7 semifinal showdown reduced to a three-game affair after Alaska won Games 1 and 3 and ROS claimed Games 2 and 4, the two teams clash in the pivotal Game 5 as the drive to reach the championship goes full throttle.

Gametime is at 5 p.m., with the Elasto Painters riding the momentum of their 98-91 victory on Christmas Day.

Alaska took the opener, 87-80, but ROS came back to tie the series, 102-95, in Game 2 before the Aces again seized control with a 94-78 triumph in Game 3.

The winner here will face San Miguel Beer, 4-0 winner over Talk ‘N Text in the other Final 4 pairing, in the best-of-7 championship.

Game 4 had a tumultuous ending after Alaska forward Calvin Abueva went after ROS shooter Jonathan Uyloan inside the final two minutes and E-Painters coach Yeng Guiao went after Abueva – verbally – in the press room during the post-game interview.

Video footage of the closing minutes caught Abueva swinging his forearm at Uyloan, hitting him in the stomach.

Uyloan doubled over on the floor and ROS, ahead, 92-89, at that point, used the incident to break away with a decisive run.

Abueva refused to talk to the media after the game while Uyloan denied that he faked getting hurt by the sneaky shot from Abueva.

Later, a mordant Yeng Guiao would thank Abueva for “that stupid move” as the Aces lost an opportunity to go up, 3-1, and probably an even bigger chance at avenging their 2013 Governors’ Cup semis loss to ROS.

“We wanted to win this one, and we got a big help from that stupid move of Abueva,” said Guiao.

“It’s a good Christmas gift to ourselves. We struggled for three quarters but we gathered ourselves in the fourth period. We stayed tough though they had the lead most of the way.”

In the aftermath of the incident, Abueva was summoned by PBA commissioner Chito Salud Friday and fined P20,000. The former San Sebastian Stag, levied P1,000 previously for trash-talking, escaped suspension, however, allowing the Aces a big exhale.

Guiao underscored the importance of Game 5 even as took another dig at his fellow Pampango.

“It’s down to a best of three and this game is the most important. We just can’t rely on a stupid move by Abueva. We have to rely on our own,” Guiao said.

Aces center Sonny Thoss and E-Painters gunner Jeff Chan cancelled each other out with 25 points apiece in Game 4. But Thoss fouled out with four minutes remaining as ROS rallied from a 71-64 third quarter deficit.

Alex Compton, the Alaska coach, showed no hesitation in his faith on Abueva.

“Calvin has been great all season long and it has all originated from him,” Compton said.  “I’m sure he (Abueva) will be great again for the remaining games of the series.” (WJRHT)

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