Alaska Aces vs B-MEG Derby Ace Llamados

Jason Forte put in a PBA career-best output for the second time in the last three games, and Alaska Milk stayed in the running with a 105-86 conquest of B-Meg.

Forte poured in 42 points to improve a previous career-best of 35 he made against Petron a week ago, proving to be a major force as the Aces kept the tournament leaders in sight with their seventh win against five losses.

The hard-working Alaska reinforcement, a chief contender for the Best Import award, also hauled down 17 rebounds for a 12th straight double-double job.

“I can do this. All it takes is being aggressive and playing hard,” said Forte, also hopeful they can make the finals, doing it as a team.

“We’re a good team. We’re not just one player; we’re a good team,” Forte insisted.

Alaska coach Tim Cone was more realistic, saying they “barely stayed in contention.”

“Until the Ginebra game, we had full control of our destiny. Now we don’t. We’re just trying to control what’s left in our control,” said Cone.

“That’s what we do – let the card fall where it may. We’re hanging around and see where we end up. If it meant to be, it meant to be. If not, we’ll walk away with our heads held high,” Cone added.

With Wesley Gonzales joining Cyrus Baguio on the injured list with a torn meniscus, Sonny Thoss, Tony dela Cruz and LA Tenorio stepped up in backing up Forte.

Thoss, Dela Cruz and Tenorio added double-digit outputs as the Aces handed the Llamados a seventh loss against five wins.

Hardly getting anything from import Myron Allen, B-Meg coach Jorge Gallent opted to play with an all-Filipino crew in the last 16 minutes of play.

The Aces slowly pulled away in the fourth quarter to nail a second win against the same number of defeats in the semis.

The Llamados dictated the tempo in the opening quarter but the Aces got into the game on a big closing run in the second period.

Forte made drive-in baskets to ignite and cap a 15-4 salvo pushing the Aces ahead at 37-33 with 59 ticks left.

A jumper by PJ Simon in the closing seconds made it 35-37 at the half.

Forte went to work early, collecting 18 points, 11 rebounds and two assists against two turnovers in the first 24 minutes of play.

The B-Meg backcourt provided the Llamados the firepower as they jumped the gun on the Aces, taking a nine-point lead at 19-10 before closing the first period at 21-16.

Simon and James Yap combined for 19 points, five rebounds and three assists in carrying the load for B-Meg in the first half.

The dynamic B-Meg duo ended up with a combined output of 43 points, nine rebounds and four assists. – Nelson Beltran