Unbelievable Aces halfway through Fiesta Cup crown

Manila, Philippines–Keeping its composure all night, Alaska pulled out all the stops on both ends in the endgame to hack out a 94-90 victory over San Miguel and take a surprising 2-0 lead in their PBA Fiesta Conference title series at the Araneta Coliseum.   The Aces survived a scoreless spell for close to six minutes in the fourth period as they blew an eight-point lead early before hitting seven of eight free throws in the final 77 seconds for the win.   “We didn’t expect this,” Alaska coach Tim Cone said, when asked what he thought about being in control of the best-of-seven series most experts predicted San Miguel would utterly dominate.   “But you know, we have played two A-plus basketball games.”   Diamon Simpson scored 29 points and cleared 17 boards before fouling out with under 30 seconds left.   But when he did step out, Alaska was in solid control that talk of a sweep seemed all too realistic now.   “I want a championship,” said Simpson, who admitted to be inspired by the presence of Miami Heat coach Eric Spoelstra at ringside. “I am not worried about the (Best Import) award like everyone thinks I am.”   Simpson played big for the second straight game but the Aces also got 14 points from Joe Devance, 12 each from Cyrus Baguio and Tony Dela Cruz and six points, five rebounds and four assists from a fagged-out LA Tenorio.   Tenorio hit a big bucket with 1:53 left—a one-handed running jumper— that gave the Aces an 87-86 lead before San Miguel took the driver’s seat for the last time  after a Jay Washington basket with 1:35 left.   But Simpson hit four straight charities and Dela Cruz added two of his own that cushioned two freebies awarded Gabriel Freeman on the last foul by Simpson for a 93-90 Alaska lead with 25.4 to play.   San Miguel had a chance to come closer but Devance deflected a pass by Washington that led a free throw by Baguio with 10.8 seconds left, 94-90.   Joseph Yeo, who took the game’s last attempt with an off-balanced triple attempt that hit nothing, led the Beermen with 20 points, 14 of them coming in the middle two quarters.   Though his Aces have a huge edge, Cone refused to talk with confidence.   “It’s only 2-0 and it takes four games to win a series,” Cone said. “I’ve lost everything you could possibly lose throughout my career. So no, I am not confident.”   The critical third game is scheduled Wednesday and the Aces could use the three-day break to recharge with Tenorio to head straight to the hospital for some IV after battling diarrhea Saturday night.   Meanwhile, Air21 won the lottery for next season’s top draft pick and gave it to Derby Ace because of a trade that happened last year.   Talk ‘N Text will pick second, a choice acquired from lowly Barako Coffee in a trade involving Yousif Aljamal, Gilbert Lao and Jec Chia.   Coca-Cola will select third overall followed by Rain or Shine, Talk ‘N Text again and then Barangay Ginebra. The last three picks in the first round will be determined after the ongoing title series.   The scores: ALASKA 94—Simpson 29, De Vance 14, Baguio 12, Dela Cruz 12, Borboran 8, Fonacier 7, Tenorio 6, Hugnatan 4, Cariaso 2, Robinson 0. SAN MIGUEL 90—Yeo 20, Washington 20, Santos 20, Freeman 13, Ildefonso 6, Cabagnot 5, Miranda 2, Racela 2, Villanueva 1, Hontiveros 1, Pennisi 0, Pena 0. Quarters: 31-26, 50-45, 75-71, 94-90