Manuel’s heroics save Alaska, send San Miguel to 0-3 start

Vic Manuel saved Alaska from collapse after his buzzer-beating jumper lifted the Aces over winlesss San Miguel, 105-103, in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Saturday in Dumaguete City.

Alaska held a lead that ballooned to as much as 22, 72-50, in the third before the Beermen went on a relentless attack and tie the game at 100 on a Chico Lanete three-pointer with 2:05 left in the game.

After JVee Casio scored on a jumper to give the Aces a 103-101 lead with 57 seconds left, Renaldo Balkman countered for the Beermen and tied it at 103 just three seconds later.

Antonio Campbell made a crucial swipe to steal the ball from Balkman’s hands with 19 seconds left on the clock to ensure Alaska’s possession that led to Manuel’s winner.

Alaska streaked to their fourth straight win to get to a 4-1 record and tied TNT and Rain or Shine atop the standings while the Beermen dropped dead last with a 0-3 card.

Manuel finished with 23 points to lead the Aces while Calvin Abueva finished with a 13-point, 12-rebound double-double.

Balkman put up 32 points and 13 rebounds in his PBA return while rookie Christian Standhardinger had 22 points and six boards.