MARK Caguioa of Barangay Ginebra drives to the basket off JV Casio (No. 42) and Cyrus Baguio of Alaska. AUGUST DELA CRUZ
MANILA, Philippines — Alaska sustained its hot streak in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup with an 83-73 win over Barangay Ginebra Sunday that boosted the Aces to third place heading into the final three playing days of the eliminations at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Aces took command right from the start, building a 19-point lead before holding off a spirited charge by the Gin Kings in the fourth quarter to rise to 5-3 overall, just a full game behind No. 2 San Miguel Beer.
Robert Dozier scored 22 points and had 16 rebounds for the Aces as he exploited the absence of his Ginebra counterpart Josh Powell, who couldn’t continue playing because of a very painful right foot.
Team sources, however, said that Powell didn’t want to play anymore after being invited by the Houston Rockets.
The loss dropped Ginebra to 3-5 and the Gin Kings need to win their last game and avoid beating a top-ranked team twice in the playoffs to advance.
“With this win, we are guaranteed sixth (spot in the playoffs),” Alaska coach Luigi Trillo said. “It is going to get tougher.”
The top defensive team in the league, the Aces have held their last four opponents to an average of 75.125 points per game, including powerhouse San Miguel which they hope to catch at No. 2.
Greg Slaughter paced the Kings with 20 points and 12 rebounds, with Powell, their second import after the ineffective Leon Rodgers, winding up scoreless in 15 minutes of action.
In the first game, Alex Cabagnot scored Globalport’s final five points inside the last 10.9 seconds and lifted the Batang Pier to a 98-96 decision of Barako Bull, which lost all hopes of advancing with its 2-9 mark.
Batang Pier closed out their stint under new coach Pido Jarencio with a 1-8 record.
Quarterfinalists Rain or Shine and Air21 clash today at 5:45 p.m while San Mig Coffee battles Meralco in the 8 p.m. main game hoping to keep alive its hopes of nailing a twice-to-beat edge.
The scores:
First Game
GLOBALPORT 98—Brock 27, Macapagal 21, Cabagnot 14, Garcia 12, Nabong 9, Salva 7, Washington 4, Salvador 2, Custodio 2, Matias 0.
BARAKO 96—Dollard 22, Intal 16, Pennisi 13, Fortuna 11, Buenafe 11, Lastimosa 7, Marcelo 6, Miranda 4, Najorda 2, Jensen 2, Pena 2, Miller 0.
Quarters: 29-15, 51-42, 80-63, 98-96
Second Game
ALASKA 83—Dozier 22, Casio 13, Hontiveros 10, Espinas 8, Manuel 8, Baguio 8, Jazul 6, Thoss 4, Reyes 2, Abueva 2, Dela Cruz 0, Buenafe 0.
GINEBRA 73—Slaughter 20, Aguilar 12, Tenorio 11, Baracael 8, Ellis 6, Caguioa 6, Urbiztondo 5, Reyes 3, Helterbrand 2, Powell 0, Ababou 0.
Quarters: 19-11, 40-24, 61-44, 83-73
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