Romeo Travis Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO
PANABO CITY—Romeo Travis did practically everything in the endgame as Alaska downed San Miguel Beer, 82-77, last night to give the Aces the top ranking in the Governors’ Cup playoffs at Panabo City Tourism, Sports and Cultural Center here.
The Aces blew a 21-point first-half lead, trailed by three with 2:48 to go before Travis took over to secure a fourth straight win for Alaska in the Petron Saturday Special game that snapped the Beermen’s season-best eight-game winning streak.
In rising to 8-2 overall, the Aces will claim No. 1 seeding—and the lightest assignment in the quarterfinals—even if they lose to Globalport on Tuesday.
The Beermen, who took a 77-74 lead after a Marcio Lassiter triple, couldn’t score after that and lost for the first time since May 9 to close out with an 8-3 record. As second seed, they play the No. 7 team among the quarterfinalists.
Travis finished with 32 points and 10 rebounds. His last five points gave the Aces the lead for good, 79-77, going into the final 51.2 seconds.
His last offensive rebound was the biggest in the game. He grabbed JV Casio’s missed free throw with 13.2 seconds left with Casio later rounding out the scoring with two more free throws.
Meanwhile, Rain or Shine shoots for a sixth straight win and possibly a top four berth when the Elasto Painters slug it out with Meralco at 5:15 p.m. today as action returns to Smart Araneta Coliseum. Defending champion Star tackles Barako Bull at 3 p.m.
The scores:
ALASKA 82—Travis 32, Abueva 12, Casio 7, Banchero 7, Baguio 6, Thoss 6, Dela Rosa 5, Hontiveros 5, Manuel 1, Dela Cruz 1, Eman 0, Jazul 0, Exciminiano 0.
SAN MIGUEL BEER 77— Reid 17, Tubid 15, Fajardo 12, Ross 8, Cabagnot 8, Santos 6, Lassiter 5, Espinas 5, Lutz 1, Reyes 0.
Quarters: 23-10, 47-31, 65-59, 82-77