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Alaska stayed alive for a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals after escaping NLEX, 104-98, in the 2016 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Friday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Calvin Abueva had 23 points and eight rebounds while Rob Dozier posted a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds in his debut after missing the first 10 games due to plantar fasciitis for the Aces.
Alaska still has a chance to finish at No. 2 if TNT beats San Miguel Beer later and if the Aces win over the Texters in a playoff.
“I thought offensively to start the game we really looked like a team. We moved the ball really well at the start of the game. I thought they (NLEX) did a better job in the second half,” said Alaska head coach Alex Compton, whose team lost a 20-point lead it built at the end of the first period.
“It’s not really safe when Al Thornton’s in the gym. He really has the ability to get shots,” said Compton. “We made stops and made plays in the end.”
Al Thornton fired a game-high 37 points for NLEX, a game after dropping 69 in a triple overtime loss to San Miguel Beer.
The game was tied at 96 following a 3-pointer by Thornton with 1:49 left, but Alaska went on an 8-2 spurt at the close highlighted by an RJ Jazul breakaway layup off a steal on Sean Anthony, 102-96, with 13.9 seconds remaining.
With the loss, the Road Warriors will head into the quarterfinals needing to win twice to advance as the seventh seed.