Miller, David lead Batang Pier to victory over Aces
Game today:
Cuneta Astrodome
5 p.m.- Barangay Ginebra vs. Meralco
The Globalport Batang Pier turned to the veteran combo of Gary David and Willie Miller to upset the debuting Alaska Aces, 91-88, last night in the 38th PBA Governors’ Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
The two veteran players scored the team’s last 10 points with David nailing a three-pointer in the final 9.3 seconds to propel Globalport to its second win in three games, tying the franchise’s best start in a conference.
The teams’ reinforcements canceled each other out with Globaport’s Markeith Cummings and Alaska’s Wendell McKines each firing 28 points.
It all boiled down to local support as David and Miller came up big in the endgame.
David’s triple put Globalport on top, 84-83, but McKines answered with a jumper to give the Aces a 85-84 lead with 2:58 left.
Miller took over, converting back-to-back layups to give Globalport a three-point cushion, 88-85, time down to 1:54.
The Batang Pier had the chance to pad the lead but David took an ill-advised attempt, opting for a quick, long two-point shot that went awry.
Alaska capitalized on the miscue as Cyrus Baguio nailed a three-pointer from the top of the key that tied the count at 88-apiece with 1:11 remaining.
David tried to redeem himself from the blunder but faltered anew with a missed three-point shot.
Luckily for Globalport, Alaska also failed to convert in the next play with Dondon Hontiveros misfiring his own three-point attempt.
Despite his two misses, Globalport still went to David, who finally delivered by sinking the game-winning trifecta.
Alaska sputtered in the next play with JVee Casio taking a forced three-pointer that even hit the rim.
Miller, who was adjudged the Best Player of the Game, wound up with 14 points, Jay Washington had 11 and David tallied 10 for Globalport.
