San Miguel Beer guard Chris Ross reacts after hitting one of his four 3-pointers in a 96-89 win over Alaska in Game 7 of the 2016 PBA Philippine Cup Finals on Wednesday, Feb 3, 2016, at Mall of Asia Arena. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Alex Compton was at it again, PBA Philippine Cup Finals Game 7 against the San Miguel Beermen.
When Compton thought there was finally a way to slay the red beast, San Miguel and Chris Ross were there to spoil Alaska’s Game 7 plans.
“We didn’t have a game plan for Chris Ross hitting four threes and turning into Marcio Lassiter,” Compton said after as his Aces once more failed against the Beermen in a Game 7. “After the game, gave him a hug and told him he’s a winner. He’s huge.”
Ross, known more for his defense and slashing ability, showed a shooter’s range in at Mall of Asia Arena hitting 4-of-6 from deep with each made triple looking like a poisoned dagger down the Aces’ back.
Compton, who led the same Alaska team in the 2015 PBA Philippine Cup Finals, saw what happened when the Beermen get hot from deep.
Back in 2015, it was Arwind Santos who delivered the final blow to Alaska with a clutch three, this time it was Ross who crushed them four times.
“In Game 7, a non shooter stepped up and absolutely stroked the ball,” Compton said. “I mean he looked like Marcio out there and all the things he brought out there.”
Just as Cyrus Baguio put Alaska to an 84-75 scoreline, Ross stepped up to the rainbow arc to repel the Aces back with a booming triple, 87-75, with 3:10 left in the game.
Ross finished with 21 points, five rebounds, five assists, and walked away with the dreams and hopes of the Aces.