Alaska books Finals slot; Ginebra, TNT in knockout duel today

CALVIN Abueva of Alaska (left) soars to thwart a shot by San Mig Coffee’s Mark Barroca. AUGUST DELA CRUZ

CALVIN Abueva took charge in the fourth quarter, spearheading an Alaska comeback for an 83-78 victory over San Mig Coffee at Smart Araneta Coliseum that dethroned the Mixers and sent the Aces to the Finals of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

Abueva hit 12 of his 14 points in the fourth period, including an impact trey late in the game, as the Aces also got some late heroics from import Robert Dozier, who hit a huge three-pointer that gave Alaska an 80-76 cushion with 2:05 to play.

Dozier also nailed a basket in transition that gave the Aces an 82-78 breathing space before the Alaska defense sealed the win. Until those two baskets, Dozier was held to a single point in the game.

“We knew it was going to be a dogfight,” said Alaska coach Luigi Trillo, whose wards actually had to battle back from double-digit leads in the first half to nail the victory.

“We just had to gather ourselves at the half and really settle down,” he added.

Alaska will face the winner of the Barangay Ginebra-Talk ‘N Text knockout match today in the championship.

The Gin Kings survived another make-or-break situation when they fashioned out a 104-101 win over the Tropang Texters to level their best-of-five semifinal series after four thrilling games.

“This victory is really huge but we still have to take care of business in the Finals,” said Trillo.

Indeed, the victory was huge. Alaska nailed its first Finals appearance since fabled coach Tim Cone left the squad against the team that the American left them for. And after a long losing spell playing against their former coach, the Aces have now won three straight against him, the last knocking the crown off San Mig’s head.

In today’s knockout match, the crowd favorites will find ways to contain TNT import Tony Mitchell, who almost defeated the Gin Kings singlehandedly in Game 4 with 45 points before his shooting went sour in the final four minutes.

“He’s a very good import. We can’t stop him, we can’t contain him but we have to find ways,” said Chua.

It could be the same ploy that TNT coach Norman Black intends to do with his Tropang Texters expected to play tough again on Vernon Macklin.

Though the Kings held the Tropang Texters to just four points in the last 3:55, Macklin was the thorn that kept Ginebra within striking distance.

So pumped up was Macklin that he finished a PBA career-high 37 points, including a string of crucial markers down the stretch.

Chua, however, complained of physical play that Macklin got from the Tropang Texters during the post-game interview.

“The referees should call some of the cheap shots. We’re going to play hard, but we won’t hurt anyone with career-ending shots,” said Chua.

He said Ranidel De Ocampo hit Macklin in the groin while Ryan Reyes punched his import twice. Piqued, Macklin pushed De Ocampo in the third quarter and was assessed with a flagrant foul.

The scores:

ALASKA 83—Baguio 16, Casio 15, Abueva 14, Thoss 9, Dela Cruz 9, Espinas 7, Dozier 6, Hontiveros 5, Jazul 2, Belasco 0.

SAN MIG COFFEE 78—Bowles 23, Devance 18, Barroca 14, Simon 10, Pingris 5, Mallari 3, Reavis 3, Najorda 2, Gonzales 0, De Ocampo 0.

Quarters: 25-24, 34-48, 60-64, 83-78