Aces beat TNT, force decider for semis slot

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Alaska lived to fight another day.

The Aces eked out a hard-fought 85-81 victory over Tropang TNT Tuesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum to push their 2016 Oppo PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals duel to a winner-take-all Game 3.
“I’m so happy with the way we defended. It was really different,” said coach Alex Compton, as Alaska gets one last lease on life this second conference.

Calvin Abueva carried the load anew for the Aces, scattering 15 points, five rebounds, and three assists.

Rob Dozier led Alaska in scoring with 18 markers that went with 10 boards, while Sonny Thoss added 15 points and eight rebounds.

The Aces lost steam in the second half, squandering their 13-point lead, 51-38, and even fell behind by three midway in the payoff period. But the Aces would recover, taking an 82-79 edge in the final 2:02 thanks to a pair of free throws from Cyrus Baguio.

With Alaska up, 83-81 in the last 9.5 seconds, Jayson Castro found Troy Rosario open at the right corner, but his three-pointer went over the back as the Aces escaped.

“When I saw Troy got open, my heart dropped to basement 5 parking in Araneta. But we got stops and that was huge,” said Compton.

Alaska and TNT go at it once again on Friday, with the winner facing Meralco in a best-of-five semifinals series.

David Simon paced the Tropa with 31 points and 15 rebounds, while Castro chimed in 17 markers, 11 assists, and five boards.

The scores:

ALASKA 85 – Dozier 18, Thoss 15, Abueva 15, Jazul 10, Dela Cruz 9, Baguio 7, Manuel 4, Hontiveros 3, Banchero 2, Exciminiano 2, Baclao 0, Menk 0.

TNT 81 – Simon 31, Castro 17, De Ocampo 15, Rosario 8, Tautuaa 7, Ababou 3, Fonacier 0, Ganuelas-Rosser 0, R. Reyes 0, J. Reyes 0, Williams 0.

Quarters: 20-16, 40-38, 67-63, 85-81.