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| Calvin Abueva and the Aces are two away from a PHL Cup title. (image from the PBA/Inquirer) |
Game Capsules (adapted from Interaksyon):
ALASKA ACES over SAN MIGUEL BEERMEN, 83-80
Box Scores.
The Alaska Aces proved steadier down the stretch as they put away a resilient San Miguel squad still playing without its best player, 83-80, in a tight Game 2 encounter in the SMART BRO PBA Philippine Cup Finals on Tuesday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
Vic Manuel led the Aces with 18 points while Dondon Hontiveros and Cyrus Baguio added 12 and 10 points, respectively.
VIC MANUEL TAKES OVER:
Calvin Abueva barely missed out on a double-double, grabbing 11 rebounds but scoring only nine markers.
Alex Cabagnot led San Miguel with 23 big points, while Yancy De Ocampo attempted to make his best June Mar Fajardo impression, finishing with 13 points and a game-high 14 rebounds in the absence of the reigning back-to-back PBA MVP, who missed a second straight game.
SMB was within striking distance of Alaska throughout the game, but the Aces just proved to be steadier down the stretch.
The Beermen, after going on a 7-2 run, tied the game for the last time, 80-all, with 1:48 remaining.
Hontiveros earned a trip to the free throw line on the other end but surprisingly, the Alaska sharpshooter came up with just a split from the line. That gave the Aces a lead of a solitary point, 81-80.
Thoss was whistled for a foul on a rebound scrum with 19 seconds to go, fouling out in the process and sending De Ocampo the free throw line on the opposite end.
De Ocampo, though, came up empty, missing both of his attempts and Manuel collared the rebound and called a timeout to give possession back to Alaska with 17.1 left to play.
Lassiter then made a huge defensive play, slapping the ball away from Manuel, who received an inbound pass at the sideline.
San Miguel set up a great look for Tubid at the right corner but he missed the wide-open shot. De Ocampo got a big offensive rebound, but his putback attempt was blocked by Manuel. Abueva then grabbed the loose ball for his 11th rebound of the game.
The Beermen were left with little choice but to foul and Manuel made both to make it 83-80 with 1.7 seconds left.
Manuel cut off some more of the time when he deflected San Miguel’s inbound pass. The Beermen got the ball in on the second try, but Cabagnot had to put up a rushed shot with just 0.8 on the clock and time ran out on San Miguel.
Lines of the Game:
Vic Manuel (ALA) - 18pts, 7rebs, 3asts, 2blks, 1stl, 8/11 FGs
Yancy De Ocampo (SMB) - 13pts, 14rebs, 2asts, 3blks.
HIGHLIGHTS:
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