Amazing Aces a win shy of Fiesta miracle
MANILA, Philippines—Apparently incensed by what he felt was a bum call, Alaska coach Tim Cone rushed across the court—just a few feet away from the technical group’s area—to give the officiating crew a piece of his mind.
A few minutes later, an intense Cone traded words with San Miguel Beer import Gabe Freeman who bumped Larry Fonacier after the call had already been made.
Cone’s ferocity apparently rubbed off on the Aces, who subdued the Beermen, 90-83, in a highly-physical Game 4 Friday night to move on the brink of winning the PBA Fiesta Conference title before a huge crowd at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.
“That was one of the toughest games I’ve ever been involved in,” said Cone.
“We felt we had to raise the level of our game and get to play at their (San Miguel’s) level. We were confident going into the game that we could unbalance them with our defense.”
After four turnovers in the first 10 minutes, LA Tenorio played steady the rest of the way to finish with 21 points and 10 rebounds, while his backcourt partner, Cyrus Baguio, poured 15 for the Aces, who can wrap up the crown with a victory on Sunday at theAraneta Coliseum.
Diamon Simpson was held to 14 points, but collected 18 rebounds and blocked four shots, while Reynel Hugnatan came off the bench to deliver solid numbers of nine points and seven rebounds aside from providing toughness inside the paint.
“I think the defense of Reynel (Hugnatan), Tony (Dela Cruz) and Joe (De Vance) helped us,” said Cone, who rued the Aces’ poor free throw shooting, which he felt kept the Beermen in the game.
Alaska made just 24 of its 41 foul shots.
But they made the big plays when the game hung in the balance.
De Vance fed a wide-open Hugnatan for a fastbreak lay-up to cap a 16-5 burst that put the Aces comfortably ahead, 82-72, heading into the final 2:25.
San Miguel coach Siot Tanquingcen, however, isn’t throwing the towel just yet. After all, two teams have come back from a 1-3 deficit to win a best-of-seven series.
“It’s not over yet,” said Tanquingcen. “On Sunday, we have an opportunity to show our true character.”
Freeman paced the Beermen with 28 points and 17 rebounds while Danny Ildefonso showed flashes of his old fiery self with 11 points, including his team’s first seven in the second half.
But the rest of the Beermen struggled, especially Jay Washington, who finished with just five points on 2-of-12 shooting, after firing 23 points in Game 3.
Alaska, the Uytengsu-owned franchise, is gunning for its 13th title since it joined the league in 1986.
San Miguel was called for a series-high 36 fouls and was already in the penalty midway in the fourth quarter, giving Alaska the impetus to relentlessly attack the paint.
Larry Fonacier got in on the act, completing a three-point play off Joseph Yeo for a 73-69 lead with 7:31 remaining, before Simpson and Tenorio scored the next five points from the free throw line.
Freeman briefly left the game after sustaining a cut on his lip during a rebound play.
By the time he returned, the Aces were already in rhythm with Simpson finding a cutting Hugnatan for a reverse lay-up for 80-72 with 3:55 remaining and De Vance breaking the San Miguel press to feed Hugnatan for the game’s first double-digit lead.
The scores:
ALASKA 90—Tenorio 21, Baguio 15, Simpson 14, De Vance 12, Hugnatan 9, Fonacier 7, Dela Cruz 6, Thoss 4, Borboran 2.
SAN MIGUEL 83—Freeman 28, Santos 15, Ildefonso 11, Cabagnot 8, Miranda 6, Washington 5, Villanueva 2, Yeo 2, Racela 2, Hontiveros 2, Pennisi 2.
Quarters: 20-24, 42-42, 66-63, 90-83
SAN MIGUEL 83—Freeman 28, Santos 15, Ildefonso 11, Cabagnot 8, Miranda 6, Washington 5, Villanueva 2, Yeo 2, Racela 2, Hontiveros 2, Pennisi 2.
Quarters: 20-24, 42-42, 66-63, 90-83
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