Beermen rally to beat Texters

Games tomorrow (Cuneta Astrodome)

3 p.m. – Alaska vs Tropang TNT

5:15 p.m. – Rain or Shine vs Ginebra

MANILA, Philippines - San Miguel Beer recovered from a 10-point deficit early in the fourth and from six points down in the last 3:51 of play, unloading a lethal bomb at the finish to turn back Tropang TNT, 104-98, and stay at the close of the Oppo PBA Commissioner’s Cup eliminations at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.

Tyler Wilkerson and Junemar Fajardo presided over San Miguel’s vicious run at endgame that carried the Beermen to a coveted position rewarding them a twice-to-beat advantage versus the last seed in the quarterfinals.

Earlier in the day, Alaska Milk blew away a huge 20-point first-quarter spread but played tough at the finish, fending off NLEX, 104-98, to claim third seeding in the playoffs behind San Miguel and Meralco.

Ending up fifth to eighth were Barangay Ginebra, Rain or Shine, Tropang TNT, NLEX and Star.

The Beermen and the Bolts have two cracks at the Final Four versus the Hotshots and the Road Warriors, respectively.

Playoff play begins tomorrow at the Cuneta Astrodome with the openers of the best-of-three showdowns pitting Alaska versus TNT, and Ginebra opposite Rain or Shine.

With SMB still staring at a six-point deficit in the last 3:51 minutes of play, Wilkerson rifled in a trey to spark a key 10-to-nothing run that swayed the tide in their favor, 98-94, entering the final minute of the contest.

TNT threatened for the last time at 98-100 on a three-pointer by Troy Rosario before SMB settled the outcome of the game on a tip-in by Fajardo following a missed jumper by Wilkerson.

Wilkerson collected 36 points, 15 rebounds, four assists, two blocks and one steal while Fajardo wound up with 18 markers and seven boards.

The Texters waged a good fight, enjoying the lead most of the way even with ace guard Jayson Castro sidelined by a bum stomach.

Calvin Abueva, Cyrus Baguio and RJ Jazul delivered the crucial buckets in the crunch as the Aces repulsed the Road Warriors to be among the playoff top seeds.

One-time PBA Best Import awardee Rob Dozier finally made his much-awaited debut in the conference, logging 14 points and 13 rebounds to help build momentum for Alaska going into the playoff phase.

“He’s now healthy. He’s not yet healthy in our last game against Meralco,” said Alaska coach Alex Compton of Dozier who finally took over from Shane Edwards.

Though cut before practice Thursday, Edwards still sweated it out with the team in workout and cheered behind the Alaska bench as the Aces secured the crucial win over Al Thornton and his teammates.

“Shane’s one of the best people I’ve been around with. He practiced yesterday (Thursday) and you wouldn’t know he’s cut. He’s the same person. He wanted to watch and he’s here. He’s a fantastic human being,” said Compton.

With Dozier suffering a foot injury shortly before the start of the conference, the Aces were forced to play their first game with an all-Filipino lineup and lost. Alaska then won its first five games with Edwards before struggling with a single win in its last four outings.

The Aces got off to a swashbuckling start with Dozier before tapering off and needing mental toughness at endgame to hurdle the Road Warriors.

Thornton exploded for 11 points in the second period and 14 in the third as he got the Road Warriors into the battle after trailing by 20 at 14-34 in the opening canto.

“Offensively, we started like a team, moving the ball really well. Then they did a good defensive job in the second half as we became too individualistic. They came back and I didn’t feel safe with Thornton in the gym,” said Compton.

Abueva, Baguio and Jazul scored bailout baskets for the Aces inside the last 90 seconds.

Abueva grabbed a big offensive rebound and hit a short jumper as Alaska moved ahead to stay at 98-97 with 1:31 left to play.

Back-to-back baskets by Baguio and Jazul moments later sealed their win.

Alaska Milk blew a huge 20-point first-quarter spread but hung tough at the finish, fending off NLEX, 104-98, to assure itself of at least a third place finish in the Oppo PBA Commissioner’s Cup elimination round at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.

Calvin Abueva, Cyrus Baguio and RJ Jazul delivered the crucial buckets in the crunch as the Aces repulsed the Road Warriors to be among the top seeds in the playoffs beginning either tomorrow at the Cuneta Astrodome or Tuesday at the Big Dome.

With a closing 7-4 win-loss mark, the Aces still have a chance for a playoff shot at No. 2 with the Tropang TNT Texters or end up as the third seed behind the San Miguel Beermen and the Meralco Bolts.

NLEX wound up seventh with a 5-6 slate.

One-time PBA Best Import awardee Rob Dozier finally made his much-awaited debut in the conference, logging 14 points and 13 rebounds to help build momentum for Alaska going into the playoff phase.

“He’s now healthy. He’s not yet healthy in our last game against Meralco,” said Alaska coach Alex Compton of Dozier, who finally took over from Shane Edwards.

Though cut before practice yesterday, Edwards still sweated it out with the team in practice and cheered behind the Alaska bench as the Aces secured the crucial win over Al Thornton and his teammates.

“Shane’s one of the best people I’ve been around. He practiced yesterday and you wouldn’t know he’s cut. He’s the same person. He wanted to watch and he’s here. He’s a fantastic human being,” said Compton.

With Dozier suffering a foot injury shortly before the start of the conference, the Aces were forced to play their first game with an all-Filipino lineup and lost. Alaska then won its first five games with Edwards before struggling with a single win in its last four outings.

The Aces got off to a swashbuckling start with Dozier before tapering off and needing mental toughness at endgame to hurdle the Road Warriors.

Thornton exploded for 11 points in the second period and 14 in the third as he got the Road Warriors into the battle after trailing by 20 at 14-34 in the opening canto.

“Offensively, we started like a team, moving the ball really well. Then they did a good defensive job in the second half as we became too individualistic. They came back and I didn’t feel safe with Thornton in the game,” said Compton.

Abueva, Baguio and Jazul scored bailout baskets for the Aces inside the last 90 seconds.

Abueva grabbed a big offensive rebound and hit a short jumper as Alaska moved ahead to stay at 98-97 with 1:31 left to play.

Back-to-back baskets by Baguio and Jazul moments later sealed their win.

The scores:

First Game

ALASKA 104 – Abueva 23, Thoss 19, Jazul 18, Dozier 14, Manuel 12, Baguio 7, Banchero 3, Exciminiano 3, Hontiveros 3, Dela Rosa 2, Baclao 0, Dela Cruz 0, Menk 0.

NLEX 98 – Thornton 37, Anthony 24, Taulava 11, Enciso 9, Villanueva J. 7, Lanete 6, Borboran 2, Reyes 2, Alas 0, Arboleda 0, Cardona 0, Khobuntin 0, Villanueva E. 0, Camson 0.

Quarterscores: 34-14, 51-45, 76-74, 104-98

Second Game

SAN MIGUEL 104 – Wilkerson 36, Fajardo 18, Cabagnot 10, Lassiter 10, Ross 10, De Ocampo 7, Santos 7, Araña 4, Semerad 2, Espinas 0, Lutz 0, Tubid 0.

TROPANG TNT 98 – Simon 32, Rosario 14, Tautuaa 10, Williams 10, De Ocampo 9, Ababou 6, Rosser 6, Reyes J. 4, Reyes R. 3, Carey 2, Fonacier 2.

Quarterscores: 19-20, 43-45, 68-72, 104-98