PBA IMAGES
Alaska claimed the last twice-to-beat incentive in the 2017 PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals with a 95-89 victory over Rain or Shine Wednesday at Cuneta Astrodome.
The Aces sealed the second seed with a 7-4 card and are set to face Ginebra in the playoffs starting on Sunday.
“It’s great that we have the twice-to-beat. It’s an advantage, but it’s not an advantage when Ginebra is the opponent,” said coach Alex Compton.
Alaska overhauled an 86-79 deficit with 7:15 left in the fourth with an 8-1 run despite Calvin Abueva fouling out at the 5:38 mark.
It also showed its defensive grit in the endgame, forcing the Elasto Painters to miss their final six shots.
“Our guys just kept on fighting. In the last few minutes, we defended really well,” said Compton, praising the effort by guys like Kevin Racal and Ping Exciminiano in the clutch.
JVee Casio topped the Aces with 25 points and five rebounds, while Vic Manuel bucked his foul woes and delivered a double-double of 13 markers and 12 boards.
Sonny Thoss also got 13 points and three rebounds, while RJ Jazul shot 2-of-5 from threes to wound up with 12 markers and five rebounds.
Rain or Shine will now go on a playoff for the last quarterfinal berth against Blackwater in a knockout affair Friday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
James Yap went 3-of-6 from three to lead the Elasto Painters with 16 points, while Gabe Norwood also had 16 markers and eight rebounds in the loss.
The Scores:
ALASKA 94 – Casio 25, Thoss 13, Manuel 13, Jazul 12, Mendoza 8, Exciminiano 6, Racal 5, Hontiveros 5, Abueva 4, Galliguez 2, Cruz 1, Pascual 0.
RAIN OR SHINE 89 – Norwood 16, Yap 16, Cruz 12, Chan 10, Tiu 9, Washington 8, Belga 6, Ponferrada 6, Ahanmisi 4, Trollano 2, Matias 0.
Quarters: 17-19, 43-45, 66-71, 94-89.