#PBA2016 Philippine Cup Finals Roundup: January 22, 2016

Alaska fans are on the verge of ecstasy after going up 3-0 in the 2015-2016 PHL Cup Finals.
(image from the PBA/Inquirer)

San Miguel Beer had a golden chance to steal Game 3 of the 2015-2016 PBA Philippine Cup Finals, but the Alaska Aces continued to prove they were more potent in crunch time. Back-up guard RJ Jazul came up huge in the endgame, scoring big back-to-back baskets to help his team seal the deal and move within a win of their first Philippine Cup since year 2000.

Best Player of the Game: Vic Manuel with 17pts and 7rebs. 012216 at Quezon Convention Center, Lucena @smbeermen vs @alaska_aces #2016pbaphilippinecup #2016pbaphilippinecupfinals #pba41stseason amdg

A photo posted by Philippine Basketball Asscn (@pbaconnect) on Jan 22, 2016 at 7:01am PST

Game Capsules (adapted from Interaksyon): 


ALASKA ACES over SAN MIGUEL BEERMEN, 82-75
Box Scores. 

The Alaska Aces took a commanding 3-0 lead, coming to within a single win of the SMART BRO PBA Philippine Cup, after defeating San Miguel, 82-75, in Game 3 on Friday at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City, Quezon.

Rotation and fatigue probably cost SMB their chance during the clutch again #PBAFinals #pba2016

— Rolly Mendoza (@rollzter) January 22, 2016

Vic Manuel, who has been stellar in the championship series, once again led Alaska with a team-high 17 points and seven boards while his frontcourt partner, Calvin Abueva, chipped in with 13 markers.

#PBAFinals Game 3 Best Player: Alaska's Vic Manuel! pic.twitter.com/5D3wvWEfYx -interaksyon

— RP Quotes n RTs (@GaQuotesNRT) January 22, 2016

The Aces, which entered the fourth quarter trailing, outscored the Beermen, 27-17, to clinch the victory.

SMB, still playing without injured star center June Mar Fajardo, the reigning back-to-back PBA MVP, was led by back-up big man JR Reyes with 13 points. Ronald Tubid was the only other Beerman in double-figures with 10.

Reyes, however, was thrown out with a Flagrant Foul 2 in the final frame after swinging an elbow that hit Vic Manuel’s head.



Much ballyhooed stars Alex Cabagnot, Marcio Lassiter, and Arwind Santos combined to score only 26 points on 9/30 FG shooting.

Alaska can win their first Philippine Cup title in 16 years at the historic Philsports Arena/Ultra on Sunday, January 24, 2016.

Lines of the Game: 
Vic Manuel (ALA) - 17pts, 7rebs, 1ast, 8/15 FGs
JR Reyes (SMB) - 13pts, 7rebs, 1ast, 1blk, 5/6 FGs

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