Vic Manuel vs Willie Wilson. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Calvin Abueva and Vic Manuel carried Alaska past Barako Bull, 108-100, to secure a playoff for the outright semifinals berth in the Petron Saturday Special of the 2016 Smart Bro PBA Philippine Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Abueva showed the way for the Aces with a double-double of 21 points and 13 rebounds, while Vic Manuel played the supporting role with 21 markers and seven boards.
At 9-2, the Aces tied San Miguel at the top spot and are hoping for a Rain or Shine defeat to NLEX, which are playing as of posting, to gain the top seed at the end of the eliminations.
However, if Rain or Shine does emerge victorious, Alaska and San Miguel will have a playoff for the second automatic semifinals ticket on Wednesday.
“I was very scared of (Barako Bull) coming to this game. But fortunately, we started that third quarter and our guys really created some separation and that carried us and allowed us to weather the storm in the fourth,” said coach Alex Compton.
Manuel spearheaded a scathing 18-4 run to turn a slim 50-48 lead to a 68-52 gap midway in the third.
Barako Bull found its stride late in the game and closed the gap to two, 92-90, after a Jeric Fortuna bucket with 5:33 left in the payoff period, but Manuel and Abueva provided the counter-punch to douse Energy’s late rally.
Cyrus Baguio, RJ Jazul, and Sonny Thoss all had 11 points apiece in the win, as Alaska’s depth proved to be the difference in outscoring Barako Bull’s bench 77-34.
The Aces also hit the open man and shared the ball effortlessly, dishing 27 assists in the game to just 15 for the Energy.
Ginebra and TNT benefitted the most with Barako Bull losing the game and falling to a 5-6 record, as the Gin Kings and Tropang Texters will now enjoy a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.
Willy Wilson paced the Energy with 23 points and 14 rebounds, while JC Intal had a near double-double of 15 markers and nine boards in the defeat.
The scores:
ALASKA 108 – Abueva 22, Manuel 21, Baguio 11, Jazul 11, Thoss 11, Casio 9, Hontiveros 8, Banchero 7, Baclao 4, Dela Cruz 4, Dela Rosa 0, Exciminiano 0, Menk 0.
BARAKO BULL 100 – Wilson 23, Intal 15, Lanete 14, Urbiztondo 13, Monfort 12, Fortuna 10, Brondial 7, Miranda 3, Pennisi 3, Baracael 0, Forrester 0.
Quarters: 23-30, 50-48, 82-70, 108-100.