Alaska outlasts Star, keeps top 2 bid alive

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CALVIN Abueva took over in the endgame while the Alaska defense held Star scoreless in a crucial two-minute stretch on the way to a 100-92 victory Saturday night that kept the Aces on track for a top two finish in the Oppo PBA Commissioner’s Cup eliminations.

Abueva scored nine of his 21 points inside the final six minutes, with his last basket, a running jumper off Ricardo Ratliffe and Marc Pingris, practically sealing the Aces’ sixth win in nine starts as Alaska opened up a 95-87 lead with 2:20 left in the Petron Saturday Special Game at USEP gym in Davao City.

At 4-6, the Hotshots are in a very precarious situation with a game left in their schedule. They have to win their last game to qualify either seventh or eighth which means they must beat a top two team two straight times to make the Final Four.

Chris Banchero and Cyrus Baguio also came off the bench like Abueva to combine for 26 points, and Sonny Thoss started at the slot to contribute 10 as the four battle-hardened locals made up for import Shane Edwards’ lukewarm offensive night.

Ratliffe paced the Hotshots with 34 points and 20 rebounds, but a rest he took in the fourth period helped the Aces build their momentum. Pingris added 14 points and 10 boards with Allein Maliksi contributing 15.

Meanwhile, Meralco tries to lock up a place in the upper half of the playoff draw and creep closer to a top two berth when the well-rested Bolts battle back-to-the-wall Mahindra at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao today.

Game time is 3 p.m. with the 6-2 Bolts seeking a win that would guarantee them a spot in a best-of-three series at worst while at the same time, keeping them in the lead and within range of a twice-to-beat privilege in the first round of the playoffs.

San Miguel Beer and sister squad Barangay Ginebra battle in the 5:15 p.m. contest with the Beermen hoping to improve their 5-2 record and boost their bid for a top two finish. The Gin Kings will try to break out of a four-way jam at 5-4.
The scores:

ALASKA 100—Abueva 21, Banchero 15, Thoss 13, Baguio 11, Edwards 10, Jazul 9, Hontiveros 7, Dela Cruz 4, Manuel 4, Baclao 2, Dela Rosa 2, Menk 2, Eman 0, Exciminiano 0, Racal 0.

STAR 92—Ratliffe 34, Maliksi 15, Pingris 14, Simon 10, Barroca 8, Melton 6, Pingris 3, Sangalang 2, Cruz 0, Mallari 0.

Quarters: 19-14, 38-38, 68-70, 100-92