Mike Harris, Aces make it 2-2

MANILA, Philippines — Mike Harris showed the kind of stuff that he’s been dishing out practically all conference long in a special night where he bagged the Best Import award then powered Alaska Milk to an equalizer against Magnolia in the PBA Governors Cup Finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.

Harris came out with a performance proving he’s every inch worthy of the coveted award, again delivering game-high numbers – 34 points and 22 rebounds – as the Aces carved out a 90-76 win and forced a 2-2 deadlock in the best-of-seven finals.

The two teams break the deadlock in Game Five at 7 p.m. tomorrow also at the Big Dome.

In brief rites before the game, Harris became the sixth Alaska reinforcement to win the Best Import award while Magnolia stalwart Paul Lee bagged the Best Player of the Conference honors.

 Then even with two quick fouls, Harris asserted himself almost the same way he did in their 100-71 rout of the Hotshots in Game Three, tearing apart the Magnolia team.

But Harris insisted it’s a team effort.

“The game is what mattered to me the most. MVP to me is ‘Most Valuable People.’ It won’t happen without the other guys. I can’t do it by myself. It’s a testament to my teammates,” said Harris.

True enough, local support did come aplenty as the Aces matched the Hotshots’ back-to-back wins in Games One and Two to send the series back to scratch.

 “I thought our defense was great and we moved the ball better,” said Alaska coach Alex Compton, lamenting, though, “the multiple punches thrown on my players.”

“Somebody punched Mike in the testicles, somebody punched Chris Banchero on his male part. Those are literally low blows, and I’m not happy one bit. That’s dirty basketball. But I’m proud of our guys we got multiple hits but they didn’t throw back,” said Compton.

One low blow caught on video was that of Mark Barroca on Banchero.

The scores: 

Alaska 90 – Harris 34, Banchero 17, Pascual 9, Racal 8, Teng 7, Galliguez 5, Manuel 4, Cruz 3, Baclao 3, Enciso 0, Exciminiano 0, Casio 0. 

Magnolia 76 – Travis 29, Lee 14, Sangalang 11, Barroca 8, Jalalon 7, Reavis 4, Brondial 2, Melton 1, Dela Rosa 0, Herndon 0.

Quarterscores: 19-22, 43-32, 63-50, 90-76