Alaska a game away from bagging 2013 PBA Commissioner’s Cup

LA Tenorio of Alaska loses shoe before calling a time-out against the land of giants. PBA/Nuki Sabio

MANILA, Philippines — Alaska continued to be the bane of Ginebra’s existence this conference on Friday.

The Aces reprised their game one win over the Kings, but in a slightly different manner as last Wednesday, 104-90, on Friday in the 2013 PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals at the Mall of Asia Arena.

There was not a blazing 14-0 start for Alaska this time around. In fact, it was even down 4-11 as Ginebra came out the stronger squad.

“We have to weather that first quarter storm,” said head coach Luigi Trillo. “There’s a lot of pride and tradition on that other side.”

But at the finish line, it was the Aces — whose fluid game — came out on top anew with the Kings just a little too late again in their fightback.

From as big the 24 points, Ginebra chipped away the lead down to just eight, 86-94, with 1:03 left to play on a triple by Mac Baracael.

But just like what it did to every scoring spurt by Ginebra, Alaska nailed timely buckets — an and-one from Sonny Thoos, two freethrows from JVee Casio and Cyrus Baguio — to quell any hope.

“Ginebra came out with so much intensity. But we were able to keep our emotions in check. We were focused on our prize,” said Trillo.

Dondon Hontiveros took care off the dagger as he swished in a triple with 10.9 seconds left, continuing what he started in the fourth quarter — three straight treys.

Six players from the Aces finished in double digits, just like in their 87-70 win in game one, with Thoss finishing with 16 and Robert Dozier, Calvin Abueva, Baguio, Hontiveros added 15 each.

Game three is set on Sunday, with the Aces hoping to wrap it up.

There are only two teams in the league’s rich history that have come back from 0-2 down: Purefoods over Alaska in 1990, and Crispa over Toyota in 1976.

But Ginebra hasn’t won this conference over Alaska — twice in the eliminations and now in the finals.

“We don’t want to look past our game. Our game plan’s has been working and you have to maximize that. There’s still a lot of respect there,” said Trillo.

“We have a lot of respect for them. We give to Tenorio, Macklin, Helterband and Raymundo, kaya sila nandito dahil sa kanila [that’s why they’re here because of them].”

Helterband led the Kings with 17 points, while LA Tenorio chipped in 16, Baracael 11 and Kerby Raymundo 10 for Ginebra, whose biggest problem was getting badly beaten on the boards 46-65.