QUEZON CITY, Philippines (Eagle News) – The Alaska Aces avenged their Game 1 loss against the Tropang TNT with a win to force a deciding game this coming Friday in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Quarter Finals.
The game was tight all throughout and it was until the 3:30 mark in the 4th quarter when Calvin Abueva scored 4 crucial baskets to bring up the Aces to 80-79 with 2:32 seconds left. Cyrus Baguio then followed Abueva’s attack by drawing a foul on Mo Tautuaa and sinks both charity baskets to increase the lead to 3 points.
David Simon answered back with a basket to bring back his team to 82-81 but after a few missed baskets from both squads, TNT had a chance to take back the lead but Ranidel De Ocampo missed the go-ahead basket with 9.5 seconds left in the clock.
Rob Dozier gave TNT another chance to take the game away after missing one out of two free throws after being fouled. With their last chance to steal the game from the Aces, Jayson Castro went to Troy Rosario for the three-point shot but hit only the side of the rim.
Dozier led the Aces with 18 points, 10 rebounds and he got help from Abueva who had 15 points and 8 rebounds.
“I’m so happy with the way we defended,” said Alaska head coach Alex Compton who was elated after holding Tropang TNT with just only 81 points.
“It was certainly a defensive battle and hopefully we can keep Talk N Text by 81 points of Friday but I think medyo mahirap yan,” added Compton.
On the other side of the fence, David Simon had a huge game for Tropang TNT with 31 points, 15 rebounds and 2 blocks.
The Alaska Aces and Tropang TNT will meet once again this Friday, April 22 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and the winner will face the Meralco Bolts in the semi-finals that will start on Sunday. (Ernest Hernandez)
The scores:
ALASKA 85 – Dozier 18, Thoss 15, Abueva 15, Jazul 10, Dela Cruz 9, Baguio 7, Manuel 4, Hontiveros 3, Banchero 2, Exciminiano 2, Baclao 0, Menk 0.
TROPANG TNT 81 – Simon 31, Castro 17, De Ocampo 15, Rosario 8, Tautuaa 7, Ababou 3, Fonacier 0, Rosser 0, Reyes R. 0, Reyes J. 0, Williams 0.
Quarters: 20-16, 40-38, 67-63, 85-81