Alaska rallies to win PBA Commissioner’s Cup crown

The Alaska Aces brought out the broom as they scored a clean sweep to bag championship crown of the 38th PBA Commissioner’s Cup last night before a mammoth crowd at the Araneta Coliseum.

Watched by a league-record of 23,436 fans, the Aces leaned on a back-breaking endgame kick to fashion out a 104-80 win over the Barangay Ginebra Kings, sweeping the best-of-five title series, 3-0.

It was Alaska’s 14th title in 27 finals appearances, cementing its reputation as one of the league’s winningest franchises.

For a while, the Kings looked like they were ready to extend the series. But in the end, the Aces proved they were the better team.

Ginebra was in the lead for the large of the game and even led, 74-71, early in the fourth.

That’s when the Aces stepped on the gas pedal as they uncorked a magnificent 20-3 run to turn a 76-all tie into a big 96-79 lead in the final 3:29.

Jvee Casio, Sonny Thoss and Calvin Abueva accounted for all the points in that mighty Alaska run. Casio highlighted the run with a rare four-point play after he was fouled while sinking a three-pointer.

The crucial play handed the Aces a 92-79 lead.

Alaska would end the match with an 8-2 blast to seal the 24-point victory and the team’s first championship crown in the post-Tim Cone era.

Import Rob Dozier finished with a game-high 27 points, while Abueva had 22.

Thoss, who finished with  13 points, was named the Most Valuable Player in the title series where he averaged  14 points and 10 rebounds a game.

Tenorio led the Kings with 18 points.

Tenorio secured the Best Player of the Conference award, while Dozier took the Best Import accolade.

BOX SCORES

ALASKA (104)- Dozier 27, Abueva 22, Casio 18, Thoss 13, Baguio 7, Jazul 6, Hontiveros 5, Reys 3, Espinas 2, Belasco 1, Ramos 0, Eman 0, Bugia 0, Laure 0, Dela Cruz 0.

GINEBRA (80) – Tenorio 18, Ellis 14, Macklin 12, Caguioa 12, Helterbrand 11, Baracael 5, Raymundo 4, Urbiztondo 2, Mamaril 2, Taha 0, Labagala 0, Espiritu 0, Hatfield 0.

QUARTERSCORES: 23-20, 44-48, 71-72, 104-80. /Calvin D Cordova, Editorial Assistant