Aces foil Realtors' late game rally for 5th straight win
abs-cbnNEWS.com | 11/04/2009 11:03 PM
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MANILA -- Alaska foiled Sta. Lucia’s late game run with a 91-83 victory to extend its winning streak and keep the solo lead in the KFC-Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup Wednesday night at the Araneta Coliseum.
Willie Miller and Joe Devance hit clutch baskets right on time to ward off the pesky Realtors and help the Aces remain unbeaten in 5 games.
Miller finished with a team-high 19 points, which included a drive that gave Alaska breathing space when Sta. Lucia threatened to steal away the victory late in the game.
“We just couldn’t shake them all game,” said Aces head coach Tim Cone who also drew 15 points and 11 rebounds from Devance.
“They are very aggressive going to the basket, they are so quick and we really a hard time playing against them,” he added.
Kelly Williams ended up with game-highs 20 points and 14 rebounds while Gabby Espinas added 16 and 11 for Sta. Lucia, which dropped to 3-2.
Dennis Daa, Ryan Reyes and Nelbert Omolon each had 10 points for coach Boyet Fernandez. Joseph Yeo was held down to just 4 markers on 1-of-11 shooting from the field.
Alaska, fresh from a 10-day break, tried to pull away in the fourth when Reynel Hugnatan split his free throws for a 75-65 lead. But the Realtors scored the next 8 points to close the gap at 73-75, 4:53 left in the game.
Yeo had the chance to tie the game but missed the next 2 free throws, allowing Miller to score on a lay-up. Devance added 4 markers including a triple to give the Aces an 81-75 lead with 2:36 remaining.
Reyes tried to get his team back with a triple, 78-81, but Alaska scored the next 6 points to put the game out of reach, 86-78, 1:31 in the game clock.
Beermen score 3rd straight
Lordy Tugade poured all of his 16 points in the final quarter to lead San Miguel Beer to a 93-77 victory past “coach-less” Rain or Shine for its third straight win after a 0-2 start.
After going 0-of-4 in the first three quarters, Tugade hit 4 of his next 5 attempts including 3 triples to spark the Beermen’s 35-point explosion in the fourth quarter.
“Lordy is a typical player who has the capability of exploding any time of the game,” said San Miguel head coach Siot Tanquingcen, who also drew 14 markers from Mike Cortez off the bench.
“He had a bad first three quarters but his shots are all good looks, hindi lang niya ma-convert. He was able to find ways to get his rhythm back,” he added.
Rain or Shine actually controlled the game early and held the heavily-favorite San Miguel to a 58-all deadlock after the third quarter. This was before Tugade found his rhythm and anchored the Beermen rally.
Tugade took charge and sparked a momentum-swinging 25-9 burst capped by his alley-hoop pass on Arwind Santos for a two-hand slam and an 85-70 lead with 3:18 left in the game.
“Thankful ako kay coach dahil nagtiwala pa rin siya kahit hindi maganda nilaro ko sa first three quarters,” said Tugade.
Gabe Norwood and Jeff Chan each had 14 points for Rain or Shine, which played minus head coach Caloy Garcia who figured in a car accident last Monday. He’s resting now at home, according to the management.
Assistant coach Richard del Rosario took over and did a good job in the first half as his Elasto Painters took a 39-33 halftime advantage.
But Santos, Dorian Pena and Dondon Hontiveros joined forces in the third period to level the count at 58-all.
Hontiveros and Santos contributed 13 and 12 points respectively while Dennis Miranda added 11.
Jay-R Reyes chipped in 12 points for Rain or Shine which dropped its fifth straight loss in as many games.
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