(ThePhilippneStar) MANILA, Philippines - Alaska Milk squandered a 16-point third-quarter spread but outmaneuvered B-MEG Derby Ace down the stretch, enhancing its PBA Commissioner’s Cup playoffs bid with a 97-91 win last night at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Aces stopped the Llamados in the most crucial moment of the game, making a decisive eight-to-nothing run in the last two minutes to clinch a fourth win in five games.
“It’s a tough one and it came down to making plays down the stretch,” said Alaska coach Tim Cone as they survived Derby Ace, handing the Llamados a third loss against two wins.
“Basically, the individual plays won it for us. Guys like LA Tenorio and Joe De Vance got crucial rebounds and made crucial shots. They didn’t do it because they listened to me. Good players executed it,” Cone also said.
Tenorio and De Vance did come through with the key plays, holding off Derby Ace and spoiling Kerby Raymundo’s return from a seven-month layoff.
Tenorio and De Vance teamed up in Alaska’s big closing run that preserved LD Williams’ 30-point haul.
De Vance finished with a double-double game with 19 points and 14 rebounds while Tenorio wound up with 16 points, seven assists, two rebounds and one steal.
Sonny Thoss also played big, piling up 14 points and 10 rebounds.
James Yap scored 22 points for Derby Ace but had to sit out crucial minutes at the finish due to cramps. He checked out with 5:18 left to play and returned only in the final 1:07.
Still, the Llamados managed to mount a rally, catching up with the Aces at 89-all with 2:24 left to play.
The Aces regained control on a basket by De Vance from close range then two free throws by Tenorio, making it 93-89 with 1:07 left.
The Llamados eventually yielded the game as Peter June Simon committed an error then missed a jumper.
Raymundo got four points and three rebounds against two errors in 13 minutes of action in his return from a long hiatus.
He looked in good shape after undergoing a surgery and a thorough rehab in the US.
The Llamados relied mostly on their locals with import Shamari Spears struggling with a 6-of-14 field-goal shooting.
The scores:
Alaska 97 – Williams 30, De Vance 19, Tenorio 16, Thoss 14, Baguio 9, Eman 7, Dela Cruz 2, Borboran 0, Custodio 0, Cablay 0.
B-Meg Derby Ace 91 – Yap J. 22, Pingris 18, Spears 16, Simon 12, Canaleta 6, Gaco 4, Raymundo 4, Yap R. 4, Escobal 3, Adducul 2.
Quarterscores: 28-24, 47-47, 74-67, 97-91
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