Big overtime win anew for Alaska

source: pba.ph

Willie Miller poured in 11 of his 22 points in the fourth quarter and Alaska’s defense held Talk ‘N Text to just a 2-of-6 shooting from the field in overtime to get away with a 119-113 victory Wednesday night in the 2009-2010 KFC Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

It was an incredible victory by the Aces, who struggled with their offense for three quarters and were closed to picking up only their second loss in the conference when they trailed 108-106 with 4.3 seconds remaining in regulation.

But the Aces, in the words of Alaska coach Tim Cone, persevered and stunned the Tropang Texters with a “well-played team game.”

It was one-hell-of-a-game with the league’s two best closers – Miller and Mark Cardona -- providing a thrilling finish to a match that could not be decided through 48 minutes and despite Talk 'N Text shooting 57 percent from the floor.

For the nth this conference, Cone was all praises for his bench players.

“The key was our second unit. They came out and kept us close and didn’t allow Talk 'N Text to stretch their lead. Then a refreshed Willie got us going in the fourth and L.A (Tenorio) played brilliant in overtime,” Cone said.

Talk 'N Text, which defeated the Aces in seven games in last season’s Finals, dominated Alaska for nearly the entire regulation play but practically lost their edge in the extra period when Tenorio hit a 12-foot jumper from the left corner and Miller made two free throws that put the Aces ahead to stay, 112-109, with 3:42 to go in overtime.

It was the 11th win in 12 games for the league leading Aces, who solidified their chances of clinching an outright semifinal berth and the No. 1 seed in the playoffs for the second straight all-Filipino tourney.

Reynel Hugnatan came off the bench and scored 19 points, Joe Devance added 18 on a 7-of-14 shooting from the field and Tenorio had another splendid performance with 16 points, five assists and three steals as the Aces picked up their fifth consecutive win since absorbing their first and only loss this conference loss to Rain or Shine 86-81 last Nov.13.

Talk 'N Text appeared to have the game clinched when Cardona scored on his trademark looping floater in traffic that gave the Tropang Texters a 108-106 lead with 8.3 seconds remaining in regulation.

Alaska’s Sonny Thoss overshot his undergoal stab and the looseball resulted in a jumpball between Thoss and Ali Peek which Tony dela Cruz cornered. He then quickly called for a timeput leaving just half a second left in the gameclock.

In the ensuing play, Tenorio got away from Paul Escobal, who bumped into a pick provided by Thoss, and found himself all alone underneath the basket. He took the inbound alley-oop pass from dela Cruz , calmly took the shot, then raise a clenched fist in jubilation after sending the game intoovertime.

“We were hoping they would ignore L.A because he was the smallest guy. Then we waited for things to develop and it did,” said Cone, whose team was coming off a 122-116 OT win over San Miguel Beer a week ago.

Cardona exploded for 31 points but his effort went for naught as the Tropang Texters fell to their fifth loss in 13 games and jeopardized their hopes for an outright semis spot.

Cardona and Miller was at their best elements in the last three minutes of regulation wherein they were trading shot after shot.

After Cardona, who was 12-of-17 from the floor, hit a three that gave Talk 'N Text a 106-100 lead, Hugnatan made a basket before Miller scored four straight points to tie the count at 106-all with 27 seconds left in regulation.

Renren Ritualo and Yancy de Ocampo scored 17 apiece and Harvey Carey added 16 points and 14 rebounds for Talk 'N Text which played without injured guard Jimmy Alapag and Jared Dillinger. (DBC)

The scores:

ALASKA 119 - Miller 22, Hugnatan 19, De Vance 18, Tenorio 16, Thoss 11, Dela Cruz 10, Borboran 9, Fonacier 7, CAriaso 4, Ferriols 3.

TALK 'N TEXT 113 - Cardona 31, Ritualo 17, De Ocampo Y. 17, Carey 16, Castro 15, De Ocampo R. 6, Escobal 5, Belasco 4, Peek 2, Daroya 0.

QUARTERSCORES: 24-24, 53-54, 73-82, 108-108, 119-113.