Elijah Millsap of Petron (light) PBA
MANILA, Philippines – Top-ranked Petron stayed on a hot streak after surviving Alaska, 103-100, Friday in the 2013 PBA Govenors’ Cup at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
The Blaze Boosters stretched their winning run to seven games and sat comfortably at helm, but first had to fend off the Aces’ fiery wind-up.
“This game, we got lucky in the end. We missed shots and free throws,” said head coach Gee Abanilla. “Alaska is a tough team. They gave us a tough time. Dondon almost made that shot.”
Petron was just 21.6 seconds and few points away from sealing the win with a three-point lead, but Elijah Milsap, who swished in two free-throws in the previous possession, flubbed the next two.
Calvin Abueva, then muffs both free-throws on the next play, but kept the door open for the Aces to forge overtime by getting his own miss.
Dondon Hontiveros, though, misfired on a final heave while the crowd held their breath as his shot hit back iron, threatened to fall before ultimately bouncing out.
Despite the crucial miss, Milsap still had a monster game with 35 points, 12 rebounds, six assists and five steals for the hottest team in the league.
His counterpart Wendell McKines scored 33 and pulled down 19 boards for the Aces, who failed to get back on winning track and slid to 3-4.
The scores:
Petron 103 – Millsap 35, Lassiter 19, Lanete 16, Santos 10, Fajardo 7, Lutz 7, Tubid 5, Kramer 2, Cabagnot 2.
Alaska 100 – McKines 33, Thoss 17, Abueva 16, Casio 13, Baguio 10, Dela Cruz 6, Hontiveros 4, Eman 1, Jazul 0, Espinas 0.
Quarters: 30-27, 51-45, 79-74, 103-100