ALASKA survived Shopinas.com’s endgame scare as the Aces posted a scrambling 86-80 win over the winless Clickers yesterday in the 37th PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Aces led by 15 points in the final nine minutes of the game, 75-60, but the gritty Clickers came back to life and nearly wiped out the big deficit.
Alaska was holding on to what seemed like a safe 80-69 lead with 5:46 left when Shopinas.com staged a 9-0 blast that put them within 78-80 with 3:31 to play.
In a crucial possession for the Aces, Elmer Espiritu was called for a goaltending violation while trying to block Sonny Thoss as the Aces got more breathing space, 82-78.
Jojo Duncil then scored underneath, allowing the Clickers to move within two points anew, 80-82, with 2:43 left.
Alaska again restoreed a four-point lead when Thoss made a key basket, converting on a put-back off LA Tenorio’s miss with 54.3 seconds left in the clock.
Shopinas.com would not score from that point on as the Aces completed just their first winning streak of the season to improve to 3-7 (win-loss), trying tying the Powerade Tigers for the eighth and nine spots.
Thoss scored 15 points, while Jay-ar Reyes tallied 13 points, 17 rebounds and four clocks to bring home the Best Player of the Game award.
Cyrus Baguio and Bobon Custodio scored 12 and 10 for the Aces, who went into the game fresh from a 121-111 win over the Tigers.
BOX SCORES
ALASKA (86)- Thoss 15, Reyes 13, Baguio 12, Custodio 10, Dela Cruz 9, Baracael 8, Tenorio 8, Salamat 4, Bugia 4, Eman 3.
SHOPINAS .COM (80)- Jazul 24,Duncil 13, Sena 8, Hubalde 8, Sison 7, Espiritu 7, Escobal 6, Ritualo 3, Mirza 2, Daa 2./EDITORIAL ASSISTANT CALVIN D. CORDOVA