Barangay Ginebra started better this time but Alaska dominated them just the same as the Aces took down the Kings, 104-90, last night to move a game away from clinching the title of the 38th PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Alaska now has a commanding two-to-nothing lead in the short best-of-five titular series.
The Aces will gun for their 14th crown in 27 finals appearances when they try to close out the Kings in Game 3 set Sunday at the Araneta Coloseum.
Making sure that there wouldn’t be a repeat of their slow start in their 70-87 Game 1 loss, where they quickly fell behind 0-14, Ginebra started Game 2 strong with an 11-4 blitz.
Problem was, the Kings failed to sustain their solid start.
The Aces grabbed the upper-hand after the first period, 25-23, then outscored the Kings in the next quarter, 29-14, to end the first half with a huge 54-37 lead.
The Aces would lead by as many as 24 points in the third and just like in Game 1, they quelled the Kings’ repeated rallies in the fourth.
Cebuano hotshot Dondon Hontiveros played the fireman’s role in the face of a Ginebra uprising as he sank three triples that widened Alaska’s lead to 87-68 after the Kings had clawed within, 64-78.
Sonny Thoss also had his share of endgame heroics, scoring seven of his team-high 16 points in the final 6:05.
Thoss helped Alaska keep Ginebra at bay when he converted a back-to-the-basket shot while being fouled by Mac Baracael.
Thoss, who added eight rebounds, completed the three-point play as Alaska took a 94-83 lead with only 1:22 to play.
BOX SCORES:
ALASKA (104)- Thoss 16, Dozier 15, Abueva 15, Baguio 15, Hontiveros 15, Casio 13, Espinas 8, Jazul 4, Belasco 3, Dela Cruz 0.
GINEBRA (90)- Helterbrand 17, Tenorio 16, Baracael 11, Raymundo 10, Macklin 8, Ellis 8, Labgala 5, Urbiztondo 5, Mamaril 4, Hatfield 4, Caguioa 2, Maierhofer 0.QUARTERSCORES: 25-23, 54-37, 74-56, 104-90.