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| Top left: Paul Harris is just too good. Bottom left: Calvin Abueva and the Aces clinched the third seed. Right: Like Harris, AZ Reid is also just too good. |
Game Notes:
- Despite missing four straight FTs in the dying seconds, the Alaska Aces still pulled this one out and, eventually, sealed the #3 seed in the quarterfinals.
- JV Casio was awesome in this game, dropping 20 points on 4/7 3pt shooting. He also had 5 assists, 1 steal, and 0 turnovers.
- Paul Harris was phenomenal in TNT’s win over Ginebra. Harris tallied 31 points on top of 16 rebounds, leading the Tropang Texters in storming back from a double-digit deficit to win the game.
- This was a sorry loss for Ginebra, which looked to be in control for most of the game. Japeth Aguilar’s great output was all in vain, too. Aguilar shot 9/13 from the field on his way to 18 points, but it wasn’t enough to preserve a victory for the crowd favorites.
- Arizona Reid put up monster numbers and hit the biggest shot of the game to propel Rain or Shine past San Mig Super Coffee and, more importantly, secure the #2 seed in the quarterfinals. Reid finished with 39 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists to lead the Painters.
- Despite winning the battle of the boards and shooting 19 more free throws, the Mixers lost to ROS mainly because they were +6 in turnovers and, again, Arizona Reid was too good.
Game recaps by Rey Joble/Sports 5:
ALASKA over BARAKO BULL, 90-87
The Alaska Aces rallied in the second half to turn back Barako Bull, 90-87, on Sunday to win their third straight assignment in the PLDT Home Telpad Governors’ Cup at SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
More importantly, the win gave the Aces a 5-4 record at the end of the elimination round, putting them in the mix for one of the top four seeds, which come with twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.
“This conference has really been an adventure,” said coach Alex Compton, whose team has rattled off three straight wins since an embarrassing 51-point defeat to Rain or Shine.
Alaska still needs to wait for the results of the remaining games — Barangay Ginebra San Miguel versus Talk ‘N Text and Rain or Shine versus San Mig Coffee — to determine its seeding. Placing among tied teams will be determined by quotient system from their results.
“Yung team nalalaman na paano maglaro. It doesn’t matter who scores. Yung potential andun. Marami pa kaming pwedeng magawa,” said Alaska star guard JVee Casio, who led the Aces with 20 points and five assists.
Barako Bull was in control early, taking a 49-38 lead at halftime.
The Aces made their move in the third period, going on an 18-7 run to forge a tie, 64-all, heading into the final period.
“Sa second half, pinaka-crucial yung depensa namin,” said Compton. “The guys on our team dug deep and brought out that energy.”
The Alaska onslaught continued in the final quarter, with the Aces opening up a 13-point lead, 88-75, with 1:21 left in the game.
Barako Bull didn’t go silently, scoring seven straight points to come within six, 88-82, with 31.7 seconds remaining.
Tony dela Cruz had a chance to ice the game for Alaska, but the veteran forward muffed two free throws.
That allowed Willie Miller to push Barako Bull within three points, 90-87, with a tough three-pointer with 11.1 seconds left.
Barako Bull sent Henry Walker back to the line, where the Alaska import missed his own pair of charities. But Allen Durham’s prayer from beyond halfcourt went unanswered, allowing the Aces to escape.
“Credit to Barako, they did not give up to the end, because this team plays hard for every possession. It’s not over until the last second,” said Compton.
The loss dropped Barako Bull’s record to 3-6 in a tie with Meralco for eighth place. But Barako Bull gets the final spot in the playoffs by virtue of their win over the Bolts to start the tournament.
ALA 90 – Casio 20, Walker 17, Thoss 13, Abueva 10, Espinas 9, Manuel 7, Jazul 5, Baguio 4, Hontiveros 3, Belasco 2, Dela Cruz 0.
BAR 87 – Durham 17, Miller 15, Pennisi 14, Fortuna 13, Jensen 8, Miranda 8, Najorda 4, Marcelo 4, Custodio 4, Thiele 0, Lastimosa 0, Wilson 0, Isip 0.
QS: 18-22, 38-49, 64-64, 90-87
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| Well this is a priceless reaction from coach Alex Compton. |
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| Calvin Abueva hoists one up against Willie Wilson. |
TALK N TEXT over GINEBRA, 96-92
Talk ‘N Text secured the No. 1 seed in the PLDT Home Telpad Governors’ Cup with a come-from-behind 96-92 victory over Barangay Ginebra San Miguel at SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
The Tropang Texters finished the elimination round at 7-2 to finish at the top of the standings for the second straight tournament. They also played the spoilers’ role, sending Ginebra to 5-4 to deny the Gin Kings a spot in the top four, which comes with twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.
Talk ‘N Text will begin its quarterfinals campaign on Tuesday against No. 8 seed Barako Bull. Ginebra could end up at either No. 5 or No. 6 depending on the result of Monday’s matchup between Rain or Shine and San Mig Coffee.
The Tropang Texters’ win also gave the Mixers one of the top four spots.
Back-to-back three-pointers from Mac Baracael gave Ginebra its biggest lead, 67-53, capping a 17-3 run for the Gin Kings late in the third quarter.
But Ginebra was dealt a tough blow after star center Greg Slaughter had to go out of the game after suffering a deep cut underneath his right eye after fouling Talk ‘N Text import Paul Harris. That came in the middle of a furious 21-6 run that pushed Talk ‘N Text ahead, 74-73, midway through the fourth quarter.
The lead seesawed between the two teams, before Ginebra import Zaccheus Mason tied the game at 83-all with two minutes to play.
“It felt like I was on a roller coaster today, both teams kept making runs,” said Talk ‘N Text coach Norman Black.
Talk ‘N Text showed its championship poise down the stretch, scoring the next seven points of the game, capped by a three-pointer from Harris with 35 seconds remaining.
“Paul Harris once again came up big in the end for us,” said Black.
Harris led Talk ‘N Text with 31 points and 16 rebounds.
TNT 96 – Harris 31, De Ocampo 18, Castro 18, Fonacier 12, Canaleta 8, Alapag 5, Williams 2, Baclao 2, Reyes Ryan 0, Reyes Rob 0, Carey 0.
GIN 92 – Aguilar 18, Mason 15, Slaughter 15, Baracael 14, Tanorio 14, Ababou 7, Helterbrand 3, Knuttel 2, Reyes 2, Monfort 2, Ellis 0, Caguioa 0.
QS: 19-20, 40-46, 55-67, 96-92
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| Jeff Cariaso gives some instructions to Mac Baracael. |
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| Paul Harris lit up the scoreboard against the Kings. |
RAIN OR SHINE over SAN MIG SUPER COFFEE, 95-94
Arizona Reid hit a difficult turnaround jumper with 1.1 seconds left to help Rain or Shine clinch the No. 2 seed in the PLDT Home Telpad Governors’ Cup with a 95-94 victory over the San Mig Super Coffee Mixers on Monday at SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
“I’ll take that shot 10 out of 10 times,” said Reid after the game.
Both teams were already assured of a spot in the top four coming into the game, but still went for the win.
“This game didn’t feel like it was a no-bearing game for the two teams,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.
With their fifth straight victory, the Elasto Painters finished the elimination round at 6-3, setting up a quarterfinals matchup with No. 7 seed Air 21.
“It’s very interesting, Air 21 is gonna be a handful for us,” said Guiao. “They’re a big team, we have a problem with big teams.”
The Mixers fell to 5-4, taking the No. 4 seed because of quotient to book a showdown with No. 5 San Miguel Beermen.
The result also set up a duel between No. 3 Alaska and No. 6 Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.
The top seed Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters were earlier locked in a matchup with No. 8 Barako Bull.
The higher seeds all enjoy twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.
The Mixers played their veteran stars limited minutes, with second and third stringers getting substantial playing time.
The ploy by San Mig Coffee coach Tim Cone was likely in anticipation of the possibility of the Mixers battling the Beermen in their quarters series on Tuesday.
“Both teams are trying to keep their players fresh, very little rest for players in the playoffs,” said Guiao.
“We just tried to be efficient with the minutes we give our players.”
Despite the tactic, the Mixers remained competitive, even taking an 89-83 lead midway through the fourth quarter.
But the Elasto Painters quickly struck back, with Arizona Reid, Gabe Norwood, and Jervy Cruz conspiring for a 10-0 run to take a 93-89 lead with 1:49 remaining.
San Mig Coffee import Marqus Blakely, sent into the game in the final two minutes as the Mixers tried to steal the win, ended the drought with a three-point play with 35 seconds remaining.
The Mixers foiled the Elasto Painters in the ensuing play, allowing Blakely to get out on the break. The reigning Best Import missed his layup, but little-used Ronnie Matias was there for the putback to give the Mixers a 94-93 lead with three seconds remaining.
But Reid was there to save the day for Rain or Shine, who finished with 39 points and nine rebounds.
ROS 95 – Reid 39, Norwood 12, Almazan 10, Belga 8, Lee 7, Cruz 6, Chan 6, Teng 4, Arana 3, Uyloan 0, Tiu 0, Nuyles 0, Ibanes 0, Rodriguez 0.
SMC 94 – Pingris 15, Sangalang 14, Simon 13, Blakely 10, Yap 8, Taha 7, Melton 7, Barroca 6, Mallari 6, Devance 4, Maliksi 2, Matias 2, Holstein 0.
QS: 34-28, 60-46, 77-73, 95-94
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| AZ Reid drained the game-winner for the Painters. |
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| Marc Pingris puts up his patented one-hander in the lane against AZ Reid. |
Images are by Paul Ryan Tan, Paolo Papa, and Pranz Kaeno Billones/Sports 5.
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