Aces get back at Bolts, close in on finals berth

Game tomorrow (Smart Araneta Coliseum)

5 p.m. – Rain or Shine vs San Miguel
 

 MANILA, Philippines - Alaska Milk, beaten in the crunch the last time, came back playing a rock-solid defense throughout to clip Meralco, 92-72, and step into the threshold of the Oppo PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.

 With a lockdown defense coupled by the scoring punch of Rob Dozier, Calvin Abueva and Chris Banchero, the Aces ripped apart the Bolts and gained the pivotal two-games-to-one lead in the best-of-five semifinal series.

 “We defended for 39 minutes in Game Two. We played defense for 48 minutes tonight,” said Alaska coach Alex Compton.

“I know we made our shots. Chris Banchero had a personal career best number of three-pointers, Rob Dozier made his shots, and that’s really great. But it’s really our defense,” Compton added.

Defending well in each Meralco possession, the Aces held the Bolts to their lowest output in the conference. Before the game, no team had held Meralco below 86.

 Offensively, Dozier, Abueva and Banchero came out to be the lead lights for the team still playing minus the injury-stricken Jvee Casio and Vic Manuel.

Dozier and Abueva produced double-double numbers with the former piling up 25 points and 14 rebounds and the latter logging 23 markers and 12 boards.

Banchero sizzled with 3-of-3 three-pointers and finished with 16 points that went with six rebounds, one assist and one steal against three turnovers.

The trio hit a good rhythm in the third period, scoring all of Alaska’s 28 markers in a strong quarter that gave the team a 66-52 lead going into the final canto.

Alaska actually pounded and pummeled in the last three quarters, rallying from a 10-point deficit at the start of the second period, seizing control in the third and roaring on in the last quarter.

Meralco import Arinze Onuaku, the only player with a double-digit output in the first half, was held to only five points in the second half.

 “That’s our strength. That’s our identity. That’s what we are,” said Compton of their defensive tactic.

Compton said the two-day rest is a welcome breather for the team – an opportunity to prepare for another pressing, running and attacking game in Game Four.

Alaska can wrap up the series in Game Four on Monday or in a do-or-die Game Five on Wednesday. The Aces are gunning for a third straight finals.

With key surges in the middle quarters, the Aces seized control, 66-54, going into the payoff period.

The Aces erased a 10-point deficit, 15-25, and spurted ahead before the halftime break as they kept Onuaku away from the basket in the second period.

Alaska outrebounded Meralco, 20-9, and enjoyed a crucial 12-0 advantage on second-chance points in that quarter.

The Bolts tied the count at the half, 38-all, as Onuaku grabbed an offensive rebound and scored on a putback with two seconds left in the clock.

NOTES: Mahindra conditioning and skills coach Chris Gavina has been tapped as Manny Pacquiao’s new chief deputy that will call the shots for the Enforcers squad in lieu of Cito Victolero in the coming PBA Governors Cup. Gavina, a Fil-Am left undrafted in the 2003 PBA Rookie Draft, was chosen over Marlon Martin, Romulo Orillosa and Alex Angeles. He will have an able guide in coaching consultant Joe Lipa. “We feel that his basketball sense is fit with the kind of game we want to play – run and gun,” Mahindra team official Eric Pineda told The STAR. The Enforcers are currently working on a trade with the Globalport Batang Pier.

The scores:

ALASKA 92 – Dozier 25, Abueva 23, Banchero 16, Menk 6, Baclao 4, Baguio 4, Exciminiano 4, Jazul 4, Hontiveros 2, Thoss 2, Dela Rosa 1, Racal 1, Dela Cruz 0, Eman 0.

MERALCO 72 – Onuaku 16, Alapag 12, Hodge 12, Hugnatan 12, Dillinger 9, Buenafe Ry 5, Caram 4, Faundo 2, Amer 0, Bono 0, Ferriols 0, Guevarra 0, Newsome 0.

Quarterscores: 15-20, 38-38, 66-54, 92-72