Gabby Espinas of Alaska tries to lay the leather in the basket against the defense of Marqus Blakely in their game against Mixers. Aces defeated San Mig, 112-105. | Photo by Jeff Venancio, GMA News Online.
By Karl Cedrick G. Basco
Alaska Aces forced a winner take-all match as they posted a come-from-behind victory over the much favored and rival San Mig Coffee Mixers, 112-105, in the season ending PBA Governor’s Cup quarterfinal round at the Smart Araneta Coliseum today.
Aces outscored the Mixers in the pay-off period 31-16 courtesy of Cyrus Baguio’s barrage of baskets and capped by Sonny Thoss’ lead-stealing shot, 98-97 with five minutes left in the game.
Wendell McKines took over down the stretch highlighted by a dunk in the 47 second mark from a turnover of the San Mig to establish a five-point advantage, 107-102, and completed the upset victory with a completed three-point play.
Alaska Aces forced a winner take-all match as they posted a come-from-behind victory over the much favored and rival San Mig Coffee Mixers, 112-105, in the season ending PBA Governor’s Cup quarterfinal round at the Smart Araneta Coliseum today.
Aces outscored the Mixers in the pay-off period 31-16 courtesy of Cyrus Baguio’s barrage of baskets and capped by Sonny Thoss’ lead-stealing shot, 98-97 with five minutes left in the game.
Wendell McKines took over down the stretch highlighted by a dunk in the 47 second mark from a turnover of the San Mig to establish a five-point advantage, 107-102, and completed the upset victory with a completed three-point play.
McKines showcased a monstrous performance collecting game-high 38 points and 13 boards while play maker JV Casio contributed 21 markers. Thoss and Baguio added 17 apiece, who led the fourth quarter surge.
Tim Cone-mentored squad controlled the third canto with Marqus Blakely finishing an alley-oop basket assisted by Peter June Simon followed by Rafi Reavis’ stab to build a nine-point separation, 83-74.
Blakely spearheaded anew the second seeded team with 27 points, 12 rebounds and seven dishes while Simon and Reavis conspired for 27 markers for the losing effort.
Coach Luigi Trillo remained optimistic for a final four berth citing the then Powerade Tigers and B-Meg Llamados, now the Mixers, quarterfinal match years ago where the Tigers defeated the number one team to reach semis.
The two teams will face again each other on September 27, Friday for a semi-final ticket.
Boxscores:
Alaska 112 - McKines 38, Casio 21, Thoss 17, Baguio 17, Espinas 7, Abueva 5, Dela Cruz 4, Jazul 3, Hontiveros 0.
San Mig Coffee 105 - Blakely 27, Simon 15, Reavis 12, Yap 11, Pingris 11, Devance 10, Maliksi 8, Barroca 6, Mallari 5.
Quarterscores: 30-21, 59-58, 81-89, 112-105
Tim Cone-mentored squad controlled the third canto with Marqus Blakely finishing an alley-oop basket assisted by Peter June Simon followed by Rafi Reavis’ stab to build a nine-point separation, 83-74.
Blakely spearheaded anew the second seeded team with 27 points, 12 rebounds and seven dishes while Simon and Reavis conspired for 27 markers for the losing effort.
Coach Luigi Trillo remained optimistic for a final four berth citing the then Powerade Tigers and B-Meg Llamados, now the Mixers, quarterfinal match years ago where the Tigers defeated the number one team to reach semis.
The two teams will face again each other on September 27, Friday for a semi-final ticket.
Boxscores:
Alaska 112 - McKines 38, Casio 21, Thoss 17, Baguio 17, Espinas 7, Abueva 5, Dela Cruz 4, Jazul 3, Hontiveros 0.
San Mig Coffee 105 - Blakely 27, Simon 15, Reavis 12, Yap 11, Pingris 11, Devance 10, Maliksi 8, Barroca 6, Mallari 5.
Quarterscores: 30-21, 59-58, 81-89, 112-105
