Playoffs bound-Aces survive late game rally by David, Batang Pier

Gary David. Nuki Sabio/PBA

MANILA, Philippines — Alaska needed a huge defensive stop in the final possession, after squandering a double digit edge, to beat GlobalPort, 93-92, Friday in the 2013 PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Aces withstood a late rally spearheaded by Gary David, and a monster rejection from import Rob Dozier which thwarted the Batang Pier’s game-winning bid with just seconds left.

“I’ll take this win, a win is a win. But I wasn’t pleased in the end [when we lost] a 10 point lead,” admitted head coach Luigi Trillo.

Dozier led with 18 points, hauled down eight rebounds and dished out five assists even as Calvin Abueva churned out import-like numbers with 17 points and 14 boards.

RJ Jazul finished with 14 points — half in the fourth quarter alone– and four rebounds.

Overhauling a 15-point deficit in the third quarter, Alaska  went on a crippling 25-5 run and took an 87-77 lead with 3:40 left to play as Jazul’s clingy defense started to take its toll on David.

But even with just an inch to spare, David still managed to break free and scored the next nine points of GlobalPort to pull within a point, 92-93, with 26 seconds left.

The Aces, though, got the stops it needed in the final 19.4 seconds of the game, including Dozier’s block and a deflection by Gabby Espinas of Reed Juntilla’s inbound pass with 0.6 left.

“It’s the hardest ganme when you play the last placed them. There’s so much pressure to win the game,” said Trillo.

While the Aces are playoffs bound, the Batang Pier missed another trip to the quarterfinals with a 2-11 slate and a game remaining in the elimination round.

David bested everyone offensively with 29 points, while Sylvester Morgan added 17 and 14.

The scores:

Alaska 93 – Dozier 18, Abueva 17, Jazul 14, Casio 11, Hontiveros 11, Espinas 8, Dela Cruz 8, Belasco 4, Ramos 2, Reyes 0, Eman 0, Laure 0.

Globalport 92 – David 29, Morgan 17, Lingganay 8, Belencion 7, Juntilla 7, Aljamal 7, Aguilar 5, Miller 5, Salvador 4, Deutchman 3, MAndani 0, Yee 0.

Quarters: 22-18; 45-46; 66-72; 93-92.