Aces overcome GPort in OT, seal playoff slot

Alaska Milk battled GlobalPort in 53 minutes of a virtual slugfest, banking largely on the scrappy plays of Vic Manuel and Calvin Abueva in overtime to pull off a 105-98 victory that practically sealed the Aces’ playoff entry in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo last night.

In the second game, San Miguel Beer reclaimed the pole position and also virtually grabbed a playoff spot as it beat out Magnolia, 77-76, in another highly physical duel.

“We’re shocked with the kind of defense they showed despite coming from a game Friday. It appeared they saved a lot of energy for tonight’s game,” said San Miguel coach Leo Austria. “It also looked the physicality of the game became more intense. Good thing, we’re able to stay focused.”

The Beermen endured the battle and nailed a sixth win in seven outings. With the loss, the Hotshots dropped to joint second with the Aces at 6-2.

Manuel scored seven of his 21 points in the extra period while Abueva gutted it out on the way to a double-double game of 12 points and 12 rebounds as the Aces survived a rugged threehour game for a sixth straight victory – the franchise’s longest streak in two seasons – after backto-back defeats.

“We would be happy to play for 10 hours to win a game. We’ll do whatever it takes,” said Alaska coach Alex Compton. “Bodies were sprawling all over the floor. We took 39 free throws and we gave away 34, and there were some flagrant infractions. Coach Pido (Jarencio) got his players to play hard, and we got our players to play hard. I hope the fans appreciate our effort,” Compton also said.

Seemingly outworked in the first three quarters, the Aces turned things around in the last period, wiping out a 10-point deficit to force overtime.