Aces overpower Beermen, stay alive

Game today (MOA Arena)

7 p.m. – Ginebra vs Rain or Shine

MANILA, Philippines — The Alaska Milk Aces wanted to live another day and they worked hard for it, pouring everything they’ve got to stun and conquer titleholder San Miguel Beer, 125-104, in Game Three of their PBA Commissioner’s Cup Final Four matchup at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo last night.

Practically the entire Alaska crew pulled a big game as one determined, cohesive unit to deal the Beermen their worst defeat in a PBA playoff game in five conferences and in the process cut down SMB’s lead to 2-1 in their best-of-five semifinal series.

Vic Manuel was back in his elements with an over-20-point outing, Diamon Simpson delivered anew a diamond of a game with a double-double performance while Jvee Casio and Simon Enciso finally picked up the slack in the absence of Chris Banchero as the Aces stayed alive and in the running for a first finals in six conferences.

“We don’t want our effort in the elims to get wasted. We want to salvage this series,” said Manuel of their dogged determination to stop the Beermen from closing out the series.

The Beermen take their second shot at the finals while the Aces go for the equalizer in Game Four tomorrow over at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Meanwhile, Rain or Shine has broken the momentum of Barangay Ginebra’s searing eight-game run and enjoys the psychological edge back on its side as these two teams break their one-game all standoff in their own semis series at the MOA Arena in Pasay tonight.

The Elasto Painters recalled the resilience and toughness that made them the playoffs top seed as they stopped the Gin Kings, 109-100, at the Big Dome Thursday.

The scores: 

Alaska 125 – Manuel 24, Simpson 21, Casio 15, Enciso 10, Exciminiano 9, Baclao 9, Racal 8, J. Pascual 7, Galliguez 7, Teng 6, Cruz 5, Thoss 4, 

San Miguel 104 – Balkman 28, Fajardo 18, Standhardinger 10, Ross 9, Lassiter 9, Cabagnot 8, Heruela 8, Lanete 6, Nabong 5, Santos 3. 

Quarterscores: 27-25, 64-55, 94-77, 125-104