Alaska sweeps Star, returns to PBA Finals

Romeo Travis. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Alaska scraped past Star, 82-77, to complete a three-game sweep and return to the Finals Sunday night in the 2015 PBA Governors’ Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Romeo Travis had his hand on seven of the Aces’ last eight points in the final two minutes and 38 seconds, including a go-ahead 3-pointer and an assist to an open Vic Manuel for the baseline jumper that gave Alaska an 81-77 cushion with 30.1 seconds left.

Travis finished with 19 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and three blocks for the Aces, who will be making their second Finals appearance of the season after losing to the San Miguel Beermen in a Game 7 in the Philippine Cup.

“We talked about coming into this game there’s going to be adversity,” said Alaska head coach Alex Compton.

Alaska also got a big lift from its rookie Rome dela Rosa, who scored a career-high 11 points that went with two steals in nearly 32 minutes of play, the most action he’s seen in his young professional career.

Down four with under 30 seconds left, Star couldn’t get anything to fall its way with Marquis Blakely missing a layup.

James Yap led the Hotshots with 20 points but only scored five points in the second half. Blakey added 15 points, seven rebounds, six assists, four steals and four blocks but his team could’ve used more from him on the offensive end with the way the Aces clamped down late.

Alaska was down 10 points in the second quarter before taking the lead, 49-48, on a Calvin Abueva put back early in the third quarter.

Travis gave the lead back to the Aces for good, 79-77, after sinking a triple in transition with 1:59 remaining. Blakely tried to answer back but he misfired on a questionable attempt from three and was denied from behind by Manuel inside.

With the loss, the Hotshots failed to defend any of their three championships from their Grand Slam season. CFC