Alaska Milk and San Mig Coffee slug it out in a sudden death Friday.
The Aces, the Commissioner’s Cup champs, forced the do-or-die match as they climbed out of a 12-point hole early in the fourth quarter and clipped the Mixers, 112-105, at the start of PBA Governors Cup playoff action at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Wednesday night.
Cyrus Baguio ignited Alaska’s comeback surge before he fouled out with 1:56 left, and Wendell McKines and Jayvee Casio provided the finishing job as the Aces ducked the Mixers’ first knockout attempt in their quarterfinals matchup.
“They threw a lot of knockout punches. I’m glad we stepped up,” said Alaska coach Luigi Trillo.
The two teams are now in equal footing as they face off in a KO duel Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
“We can’t be satisfied now. We can’t celebrate. We have one more game to take care of,” said Trillo.
“Expect both to be more physical. We cherish and welcome this type of competition,” Trillo added.
McKines looked to be really loving the physical battle, thriving in it as evident by his 38-point and 13-rebound dominant performance.
As McKines jammed home on a fastbreak by Casio with 47 left to play, the Aces and their gallery started to whoop it up with a 107-102 lead.
Marqus Blakely had a near triple-double game with 27 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists but committed crucial lapses at endgame, allowing the Aces to steal the game.
“Blakely is a beast but he needs to prove he can make free throws, said Trillo, taking a dig at the SMC import who bungled 13 of 22 charities.
The Mixers seized control at the start of the fourth quarter, enjoying a 12-point spread at 93-81 on a rare four-point play by Allein Maliksi off Calvin Abueva.
The Aces, however, won’t give up, and took the cue provided by Baguio as they fought back into the contest and raced ahead at 98-97 with 5:01 left to play.
Casio, Baguio and Sonny Thoss put in at least 17 points each in the fierce duel marked by five deadlocks and eight lead changes.
Meanwhile, PJ Simon, Rafi Reavis, James Yap, Marc Pingris and Joe Devance were the others who logged double-digit outputs for the Mixers.
McKines had had 23 by the half that ended in Alaska’s favor at 59-58. (SB)
The scores:
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.
Quarters: 30-21, 59-58, 81-89, 112-105
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