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| Bill Walker showcased great two-way basketball as Alaska moved within a win of the Finals. |
Game notes:
- Bill Walker bucked an elbow injury to drop a double-double — 26 points and 13 rebounds — as his Alaska Aces subdued the Elasto-Painters in Game 3. He also helped hold ROS’s AZ Reid to just 5/19 FG shooting and only 17 markers.
- Vic Manuel continued to play well for the Aces, too. Manuel logged 11 points, 10 boards, and 1 blocked shot as the starting PF for Alaska, which can enter the Finals with a Game 4 win on Thursday night.
Game recap by Rey Joble/InterAKTV:
ALASKA over RAIN OR SHINE, 104-94
The Alaska Aces showed some mental toughness as they pulled out a crucial 104-94 victory over Rain or Shine in Game Three of their PLDT Home Telpad Governors’ Cup semifinal series on Tuesday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
Alaska showed it could deal with Rain or Shine’s physical play as they took a double-digit lead and held off a big Elasto Painters rally in the end to take a 2-1 lead in their best-of-five series.
Import Henry Walker shrugged off the effects of an ailing elbow to score 26 points, including several clutch plays in the end, alongside 13 rebounds and three assists.
The Aces’ local crew, led by Calvin Abueva, who had 14 points, and Gabby Espinas, who scored 12, stepped up in a big way as well.
Sonny Thoss, Vic Manuel and Dondon Hontiveros finished with 11 apiece.
The Aces, who were bothered by the physical play of the Elasto Painters in Game Two, proved that they could play with some toughness of their own.
They pounded the ball to their big guys inside in the first half, where they led by as much 12 points before settling for a seven-point lead, 53-46, at the break.
Walker had 10 points at the half while Thoss and Espinas each had eight in a strong showing for the Alaska frontcourt.
Hontiveros found his shooting touch from outside in the second half, scoring eight points, including two three-pointers, in a 15-6 run to close the third period with a 78-66 advantage.
Alaska again looked inside in the fourth quarter with Abueva and Espinas combining to score the Aces’ first eight points as they pushed the lead to 15 points, 86-71.
They still led by 14, 98-84, past midway point of the quarter before Rain or Shine made one last gutsy stand.
Import Arizona Reid and Jeff Chan each hit a three-pointer while center Raymond Almazan split from the line as Rain or Shine cut the Alaska lead down to just seven, 98-91, with over two minutes to play.
But Walker had an answer, hitting a jumper over his counterpart Reid and knocking down to free throws to restore a double-digit lead.
Chan hit another three but Walker nailed a difficult turnaround jumper with just 46 seconds left to ensure the win for the Aces.
Chan finished with a team-high 22 points while Reid had just 17, his lowest scoring output of the series.
ALA 104 – Walker 26, Abueva 14, Espinas 12, Hontiveros 11, Thoss 11, Manuel 11, Casio 7, Dela Cruz 6, Baguio 4, Jazul 2.
ROS 94 – Chan 22, Reid 17, Arana 10, Almazan 10, Ibanes 10, Lee 10, Belga 5, Tiu 5, Teng 3, Rodriguez 2, Uyloan 0, Cruz 0.
QS: 29-23, 53-46, 78-66, 104-94.
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| Alaska's Calvin Abueva tries to attack rookie Raymond Almazan. Abueva will represent the Philippines in the Manila leg of the 2014 FIBA 3x3 World Tour. |
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| Gilas Pilipinas sniper Jeff Chan splits the defense! |
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| Courtside reporter Rizza Diaz continues to be one of the most interesting attractions in PBA game dates. |
Images by Paul Ryan Tan/Sports 5.
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