Aces trim Painters, near PH Cup Finals

CHRIS Banchero (right) of Alaska looks for a way to shoot against the defense of Rain or Shine’s Gabe Norwood. AUGUST DELA CRUZ

Alaska again seized control of its semifinal series with Rain or Shine with a come-from-behind 93-88 win over Rain Or Shine last night in the PBA Philippine Cup.

Pivotman Sonny Thoss came up with huge plays down the stretch but it was their robust defense that brought the Aces back from 19 points down and moved them within a win of arranging a title showdown with the San Miguel Beermen.

“Our guys played with energy and got us back in the game. I expected this kind of game where until the last possession, your heart’s in your throat,” said Alaska coach Alex Compton after the Aces took a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven duel.

The Aces, who also prevailed in Games 1 and 3, can close out the Elasto Painters in Game 6 on Jan. 4.

There were a lot heroes for Compton—Cyrus Baguio, Calvin Abueva, Vic Manuel, Thoss and on some crucial occasions Eric Menk and Dondon Hontiveros—but he made special mention of the defensive effort of Ping Exciminiano.

“His (Exciminiano) efforts changed the game. He was fantastic,” said Compton.

An energetic defender, Exciminiano hounded Paul Lee throughout, including forcing the Gilas Pilipinas shooter to miss a couple of attempts when the Elasto Painters tried to charge back.

With Rain Or Shine trailing by four inside two minutes, Lee bungled an open three and an easy basket on a break.

But Compton said the series was far from over.

“All we got ourselves was a twice-to-beat advantage. It’s not a guarantee that we’ll get there (to the finals),” said Compton. “At this point, I don’t think anybody’s getting the momentum.”

Alaska simply did its best job of converting defensive stops into quick offense.

After Jeffrei Chan’s three and a short jumper by Jervy Cruz forced the last deadlock late in the third, the Aces rattled off 10 straight points punctuated by an incredible buzzer-beating three off the glass by Hontiveros over Ryan Araña.

The Elasto Painters held sway early at 37-18, after JR Quiñahan scored 10 straight points in an electrifying run capped by Gabe Norwood’s long three.

But the Aces fought back with a 17-0 uprising.

The scores:

ALASKA 93—Baguio 16, Abueva 16, Thoss 13, Manuel 13, Hontiveros 11, Menk 7, Banchero 5, Casio 5, Exciminiano 2, Dela Cruz 2, Eman 0, Dela Rosa 0, Espinas 0.

RAIN OR SHINE 88—Almazan 16, Lee 14, Quiñahan 13, Belga 10, Chan 9, Uyloan 8, Norwood 5, Tang 4, Araña 4, Ibañes 2, Teng 0, Tiu 0.

Quarters: 18-29, 41-47, 76-67, 93-88