Alaska holds off Meralco, sets PBA finals date with Rain or Shine

Alaska Aces vs Meralco Bolts. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Alaska found the luck of the draw in the final moments and stunned Meralco, 76-70, Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum to enter the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals.

Meralco basically imploded with less than two minutes remaining in the game, committing back-to-back turnovers.

RJ Jazul was there for the Aces to ice the game from the free throw line, hitting on four free throws in the final minute to put Alaska up 72-67 with 27.3 seconds left.

Rob Dozier, who only entered the fourth around the sixth minute mark after struggling with foul trouble, gave the Aces the 68-67 lead with a tip-in of his previous shot.

The Aces will gun for banner 15 against Rain or Shine in the finals duel beginning Friday.

Aces head coach Alex Compton was all smile and breathed a huge sigh of relief after his team entered its third straight Finals.

“There’s a whole lot of possible alibis that the guys could’ve used, ‘Meralco’s got destiny, they’re well-coached, they’re tough, they got the biggest import’ but our guys didn’t make any excuses and alibis and they played until the end,” Compton said.

“I’m so proud of my guys, they stepped up and showed great resolve. The feeling is one of pride for those young men and not so young men who put the Alaska uniform.”

For the past two Finals, Governors’ Cup and All-Filipino, Alaska faced San Miguel and lost both.

This time around it would be Rain or Shine.

Calvin Abueva led Alaska with 19 points, eight in the fourth, to go along eight rebounds, two steals, and a block while Cris Banchero added 18 points.

Dozier also finished in double-digit scoring with 14 points and 18 rebounds.

Jared Dillinger was too late of a hero for Meralco as he scored 18 points, 10 in the fourth, including three with 12 seconds remaining to close the gap at 74-70.

Arinze Onuaku put up 15 points and 18 boards.