Aces pin 3rd loss on Energy; ROS up

PLAYING hardest when all seemed lost, Alaska churned out a second half effort to remember yesterday and rallied past Barako Bull, 101-95, to gain at least a tie for a top four berth in the PBA Governors’ Cup playoffs at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.

Down by 22 at the half, the Aces displayed so much resolve and got back in the game in the fourth quarter on the way to rising to 7-2 overall to tie San Miguel Beer for the lead and practically claim a twice-to-beat privilege like the Beermen.

Barako Bull, the tournament leader until it fell to KIA Motors early last week, lost back-to-back games for the first time and fell to 6-3. The Energy, though, still have two chances to snare a top four berth as the elimination round enters its homestretch starting with the regular doubleheader today.

In the second game, Rain or Shine whipped defending champion Star, 103-88, for its fourth straight win and a place in the quarterfinals.

Star slipped to 3-5 and is out the running for a top four slot.

“I didn’t do anything [on the floor],” Alaska coach Alex Compton told reporters  after the first of two Petron Saturday Special games. “The guys did [all the work]. We had a bad first half. It was a really ugly first half. There was no magical gameplan [hatched at halftime], but I have really good character guys out there.”

Romeo Travis was one of those, shooting 12 of his team-high 23 points in the third and leading the Aces in doubling up on the Energy in the quarter as Alaska chopped down a 62-40 deficit to 78-72 going into the payoff frame.

First Game

ALASKA 101—Travis 23, Banchero 20, Abueva 16, Jazul 11, Dela Rosa 9, Casio 8, Manuel 6, Baguio 4, Exciminiano 4, Thoss 0, BAclao 0, Hontiveros 0, Eman 0, Menk 0, Dela Cruz 0.

BARAKO BULL 95—McMorrow 26, Garcia 19, Yeo 18, Lanete 18, Intal 10, Wilson 2, Ababou 2, Hubalde 0, Pascual 0, Maiergofer 0.

Quarters: 17-32, 40-62, 72-78, 101-95

Second Game

RAIN OR SHINE 103—McKines 28, Chan 16, Lee 13, Cruz Jervy 10, Arana 9, Almazan 8, Uyloan 6, Norwood 6, Ibanes 5, Belga 2, Cruz Jericho 0.

STAR 88—Pingris 25, Devance 15, Blakely 13, Barroca 12, Mallari 9, Yap 6, Melton 4, Reavis 3, Simon 1, Taha 0, Pennisi 0.

Quarters: 22-25, 49-44, 76-63, 103-88