Aces grab solo lead; Painters win
Games Today (Mall of Asia Arena) 3 p.m. – Mahindra vs Meralco 5:15 p.m. – San Miguel vs Star Games Tomorrow (Smart Araneta Coliseum) 3 p.m. – Blackwater vs Globalport 5:15 p.m. – Ginebra vs Rain or Shine
Reckoning with a twice-to-beat advantage is still a long way off for the Alaska Aces, but coach Alex Compton, nonetheless, is beginning to feel some dread.
“It could be a scary, scary situation,” said Compton when asked if he could already sense the coveted incentive after Alaska turned back the NLEX Road Warriors, 89-81, yesterday to grab solo leadership and a playoff spot in the Smart Bro-PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Their third straight win and sixth overall in seven games allowed Alaska to gain separation from defending champion and erstwhile co-leader San Miguel Beer and put the Aces approximately within three more wins of qualifying outright to the semifinals via the twice-to-beat route.
The top two teams after the elimination round get automatic berths to the best-of-seven semis, bypassing the quarterfinal phase.
It was a fate denied Alaska last season where it finished the eliminations behind SMB and Rain or Shine, throwing the Aces to the crushing playoffs where they fought for survival against NLEX and Meralco before moving to the semis against Rain or Shine.
Going through six games with the Elasto Painters, the Aces eventually took the series, setting up a championship showdown with the Beermen. SMB won the title on Arwind Santos’ threepoint shot during an epic Game 7.
Compton said he prefers thinking about the present than pondering the future.
In the second game, Rain or Shine, led by Jericho Cruz's 19 points, let off just enough steam in subduing Barako Bull, 110-104, for its fifth win in six games and share of second place with San Miguel Beer. Barako Bull fell to 3-4. “We could have finished the game a bit more intelligently but we made some stupid decisions in the end,” said ROS coach Yeng Guiao, referring apparently to late-game fouls committed by the Elasto Painters that allowed the Energy to get back in the game from 18 points down.
Thoss 16, Dela Rosa 11, Manuel 11, Abueva 10, Menk 9, Banchero 6, Casio 5, Hontiveros 5, Baguio 4, Dela Cruz 4, Exciminiano 3, Jazul 3, Racal 2, Baclao 0.
Anthony 21, Villanueva E. 12, Taulava 10, Alas 9, Villanueva J. 9, Enciso 5, Reyes 5, Camson 4, Khobuntin 4, Cardona 2, Lanete 0, Arboleda 0, Apinan 0, Borboran 0.
Quarters: 23-15, 42-31, 68-51, 89-81.
Cruz 19, Chan 18, Ponferada 18, Norwood 13, Ahanmisi 11, Almazan 8, Belga 6, Quinahan 5, Teng 4, Tiu 4, Nimes 2, Trollano 2, Ibanes 0, Matias 0.
Garcia 23, Wilson 21, Urbiztondo 16, Monfort 9, Pennisi 8, Intal 7, Lanete 7, Miranda 7, Fortuna 6, Baracael 0, Brondial 0, Sorongon 0.
Quarters: 24-20, 49-41, 76-71, 110-104.