Aces hope to celebrate ‘Fiesta,’ finish off Beermen
MANILA, Philippines—Alaska hopes that a season littered with heartbreak will end in glory Sunday night as the Aces take the first of three cracks at the PBA Fiesta Conference crown against San Miguel Beer at the Araneta Coliseum.
Swept by Purefoods in the All-Filipino Cup finals, the Aces try to finish the season on a winning note when they tangle with the Beermen again at 6 p.m. in Game 5 of the best-of-seven showdown.
Alaska, which took the first two games before absorbing a blowout loss in Game 3, moved on the brink of winning the Uytengsu-owned franchise’s 13th crown by subduing San Miguel, 90-83, in Game 4 Friday night.
History favors the Aces clinching the series with only two out of 33 teams in the league coming back from a 3-1 hole to steal a best-of-seven series.
“The opportunity is there so we’re going to go for it,” said Alaska coach Tim Cone, whose Aces needed seven games to dispose of Talk ‘N Text in the semifinals, after surviving Ginebra in five games in the quarterfinals.
“We’re a confident team. We’ve been through the wars. We know how to respond from bad losses and we’re learning to play back-to-back games.”
The Aces finished with a flourish in Game 4, outscoring the Beermen, 16-5, during a 10-minute stretch in the final period.
But San Miguel coach Siot Tanquingcen, who is unbeaten in three finals appearances, remained defiant.
“It’s not over yet,” Tanquingcen said. Tanquingcen sees Game 5 as an opportunity for the Beermen to show their true character. “It’s not an ideal situation but that’s the reality of it,” said Tanquingcen. “I’m still thankful for the opportunity (to try) turn this around.” San Miguel is hoping for a better performance from Jay Washington, earlier named as Best Player of the Conference, who struggled with just five points Friday night after averaging close to 20 points in the first three games of the series. “It’s a matter of perspective. Yes, we’re in a 3-1 hole. When you’re down like this, you’ll see what people are made of,” Tanquingcen said. “Either you fold up or show your true character.” While the imports have proven steady in the series, Alaska’s solid support crew has gotten the better of its San Miguel counterparts. Reynel Hugnatan, Joe De Vance, Cyrus Baguio and Tony dela Cruz put the clamps on Washington, Arwind Santos, Danny ildefonso and Dondon Hontiveros in Game 4, factors that Cone pointed out as crucial to his team getting the commanding series lead. Cone said stopping Freeman, who had 28 points and 17 rebounds in Game 4, will always be a “tough order.” But the Alaska coach has found solace in the fact that his reinforcement, the hard-nosed Diamon Simpson, has been up to the task in the series. “Diamon has been the deciding factor all the way through these playoffs. I have the advantage with him,” Cone said of his 22-year-old import whom, he revealed, has been getting offers from the European League.
“It’s not over yet,” Tanquingcen said. Tanquingcen sees Game 5 as an opportunity for the Beermen to show their true character. “It’s not an ideal situation but that’s the reality of it,” said Tanquingcen. “I’m still thankful for the opportunity (to try) turn this around.” San Miguel is hoping for a better performance from Jay Washington, earlier named as Best Player of the Conference, who struggled with just five points Friday night after averaging close to 20 points in the first three games of the series. “It’s a matter of perspective. Yes, we’re in a 3-1 hole. When you’re down like this, you’ll see what people are made of,” Tanquingcen said. “Either you fold up or show your true character.” While the imports have proven steady in the series, Alaska’s solid support crew has gotten the better of its San Miguel counterparts. Reynel Hugnatan, Joe De Vance, Cyrus Baguio and Tony dela Cruz put the clamps on Washington, Arwind Santos, Danny ildefonso and Dondon Hontiveros in Game 4, factors that Cone pointed out as crucial to his team getting the commanding series lead. Cone said stopping Freeman, who had 28 points and 17 rebounds in Game 4, will always be a “tough order.” But the Alaska coach has found solace in the fact that his reinforcement, the hard-nosed Diamon Simpson, has been up to the task in the series. “Diamon has been the deciding factor all the way through these playoffs. I have the advantage with him,” Cone said of his 22-year-old import whom, he revealed, has been getting offers from the European League.
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