Takes 2-0 Lead in PBA Finals

THE ALASKA ACES showed its championship poise down the stretch by beating the San Miguel Beermen, 83-80 in the Game 2 of the All-Filipino Cup Finals of the Philippine Basketball Association. Vic Manuel again led the Aces with a very efficient 18 points (8/11 FGs, with 7 rebs, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks in just 22 minutes), including two pressure-packed free throws and a key defensive stop in the last 1.7 seconds that sealed the game away for Alaska. Alex Cabagnot and Yancy De Ocampo kept the Beermen in the game, scoring 23 and 13 points, respectively, but De Ocampo flubbed two crucial free throws and a putback in the waning seconds that could’ve given them the lead.

Even without June Mar Fajardo (playoff average: 31 points, 16 rebounds), San Miguel fought tenaciously from the get-go. The Beermen never made it easy for the Aces, dousing every Alaska run with one of their own, forcing the Aces to a lot of errors (20 turnovers against 17 for the Beermen) , and contesting almost every shot the Aces attempted. Marcio Lassiter also contributed timely baskets for the Beermen, scoring 11 points, while Arwind Santos, still hounded by poor shooting, still made his presence felt by getting 10 points (4/13 FGs), 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks while playing tough defense.

Despite this, San Miguel trailed almost all the way, and only had their first taste of the lead, 71-73, with just over 6 minutes remaining in the 4th quarter on two successive Cabagnot baskets. Alaska answered this with 7 straight points to make it 78-73, but then De Ocampo and Ronald Tubid scored 7 successive points of their own, wrapped around a Chris Banchero basket, to make it 80-all with less than two minutes remaining, setting up the tense final minute where the two teams traded defensive stops with each other. Alaska led, 81-80, after Dondon Hontiveros split his free throws with just under a minute left in the game. De Ocampo then fished Sonny Thoss’s 6th foul with just 17 seconds remaining, but then missed his two free throws. Alaska had the ball, but Marcio Lassiter stole the ball from Vic Manuel then called a timeout. On the ensuing play, Tubid missed on a wide-open three. De Ocampo got the rebound and had a chance to shoot for the lead, but was then blocked by Cyrus Baguio, with Calvin Abueva managing to get the loose ball and call a a timeout wtih just 2.4 seconds on the clock. After this, Arwind Santos was forced to use his 6th foul on Vic Manuel, who then calmly sank both free throws with 1.7 seconds remaining. San Miguel called for a timeout, but they were unable to convert a basket as Manuel managed to deflect the inbounds pass and shave almost a second off the clock. Cabagnot caught the second inbounds pass, but missed on his desperation heave as time expired.

For the second straight game, Vic Manuel was awarded the Best Player of the Game. “Gusto ko lang maging kalmado, kasi alam kong sobrang importante nu’ng free throws na yun,” said Manuel when asked about those free throws. Coach Alex Compton was very thankful after the game, saying that although his team is great, he knows they’re also very lucky to win against a gritty San Miguel squad. “There were some hairy moments in the end… I hope the fans enjoyed that, because I didn’t. I’m glad we pulled it off.”

Dondon Hontiveros also had a vintage performance, scoring 12 points mostly on quick layups. Cyrus Baguio contributed 10 points, while Calvin Abueva had 9 points and 11 rebounds.

ALASKA 83 – Manuel 18, Hontiveros 12, Baguio 10, Abueva 9, Jazul 7, Baclao 6, Banchero 6, Menk 6, Casio 5, Thoss 4, Dela Cruz 0, Exciminiano 0.

SAN MIGUEL 80 – Cabagnot 23, De Ocampo 13, Lassiter 11, Santos 10, Lutz 6, Ross 6, Tubid 5, Espinas 4, Arana 2, Reyes 0.

Quarterscores: 23-18, 39-36, 62-60, 83-80

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Yeboy! panalo Alaska! Two games to go!

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