Aces overrun Realtors, stay in semis race

MANILA, Philippines - Alaska Milk climbed out of a 20-point hole and upended Sta. Lucia Realty, 103-95, to stay in the hunt for an outright semifinal berth in the PBA Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum last night.

Diamon Simpson, Cyrus Baguio and Joe De Vance produced big numbers and proved to be the biggest factors as Alaska overcame Sta. Lucia’s fiery start, thus, staying in the thick of the fight with San Miguel and Derby Ace for the No. 2 spot in the playoffs.

Simpson came through with 32 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and three steals, Baguio added 23 points, six rebounds, three assists and three rebounds while De Vance chipped in 15 points and four assists as Alaska made it three in a row and jacked up its record to 11-6.

Alaska negated Sta. Lucia’s 53.6 percent (15-of-28) three-point shooting as the Aces dealt the Realtors their 12th loss against five wins.

“We were shell-shocked by the bombs they threw at us in the first quarter and a half. They made all the treys imaginable,” said Alaska coach Tim Cone.

“We’re shocked and awed as they threw bombs and bombs and we couldn’t run for cover fast enough. I have to give it to the guys they played beyond it until Sta. Lucia started to miss,” Cone added.

Josh Urbiztondo went 4-of-5 from beyond the arc in the first half, the last capping a hot run that opened the 48-28 spread for SLR 18 minutes into the contest.

Urbiztondo finished with a 6-of-8 three-point shooting with Anthony Johnson, Ogie Menor and Paul Escobal adding at least two triples each.

Alaska, however, bounced back right in the opening half with Simpson, Baguio and Hugnatan combining for a 13-6 closing run.

De Vance took over in the third quarter as the Aces sustained the momentum and surged ahead, 81-80, going into the final 12 minutes of play.

Baguio also had a good job on the defensive end, alternating with Jeff Cariaso in taking on the prolific SLR import.

With his physical defense, Cariaso visibly got into the head of Johnson with the two players having an altercation in the third quarter. 

LeRoy Hickerson made two free throws with 11.7 seconds left then Billy Mamaril blocked a shot by Enrico Villanueva as Air21 nipped Barangay Ginebra, 98-97, to boost its wildcard bid in the nightcap.

“It’s tough getting the win which we needed so much. We wanted it badly to get some distance with Barako in our fight for the last cut,” said Air21 coach Yeng Guiao.