The Alaska Aces once again found themselves down by 19 points in the first half against Rain or Shine but proved their ability to come back from big deficits anew, storming back to win Game Five, 93-88, and take a 3-2 lead in the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena. Much like in the early games of the series, the Elasto Painters built a huge lead early, but the Aces charged back to take control of the game. Rain or Shine led, 37-18, in the second quarter but could not hold on amidst a 17-0 run from Alaska. The Aces then got some big shots from scoring leaders Cyrus Baguio and Calvin Abueva – as well as play some stingy defense – in the fourth quarter as they defended their lead late in the game. Abueva led the way for Alaska with 16 points and 11 rebounds while Baguio added 16 of his own. Three other Aces – Sonny Thoss, Vic Manuel and Dondon Hontiveros – also finished in double figures in scoring. With the victory, Alaska moved within one win of entering the title series opposite San Miguel. They will have to wait over a week to get a shot at the finals berth, though, as the series takes an eight- day break before Game Six. The fourth quarter was tightly contested but the Aces took a seven-point lead, 88-81, after a big three-pointer from Baguio with 5:28 left to play. Rain or Shine got back to within three but Abueva finished on a tough drive to the basket and Baguio struck again, this time on a turnaround jumper over Paul Lee in the post, giving the Aces a 92-85 advantage with 1:51 remaining. Lee quickly countered with a three-point play but the Elasto Painters were held scoreless in the last 1:41 as the Aces escaped with the win. Lee even muffed a fastbreak layup with six seconds remaining in the game. The Rain or Shine offense was in fine form in the opening period as the Elasto Painters dropped 29 points on the usually sturdy Alaska defense. They did it by getting contributions from multiple players, with all five starters scoring and Jonathan Uyloan and JR Quiñahan coming off the bench to score five points apiece. Quiñahan scored the last five points of the quarter, even beating the buzzer on a three-pointer late in the clock. They continued to roll early in the second quarter as Rain or Shine scored eight unanswered points – the first five again from the red-hot Quiñahan – as they took a whopping 19-point advantage, 37-18. But Alaska turned things up a notch after that point and went on an impressive 17-0 run to all but erase the Rain or Shine lead. Calvin Abueva and Chris Banchero each scored five points in the run as the Aces forced turnovers and got out in transition, inching closer to the Elasto Painters. Alaska got to as close as two points but Beau Belga hit a couple of three-pointers late as Rain or Shine entered the half still in the lead, 47-41. In the third, Alaska kicked its pressure defense into high gear once again as they went on an 11-1 run to take their first taste of the lead in Game Five. Abueva kicked things off with a three-point play and the defense forced a Rain or Shine miscue that led to another completed and-one opportunity, this time from Cyrus Baguio, tying the game at 55-all. Jireh Ibanes split from the free throw line to score the Elasto Painters’ lone point in that stretch, but Sonny Thoss matched that on his own trip to the line. Ping Exciminiano then got another steal for the Aces, and took it all the way to the other end to give Alaska a 58-56 lead before Thoss connected on a follow-up to make it a four-point lead. Rain or Shine tied the game at 64-all but Alaska then launched into a 9-0 run to take a 73-64 advantage. Game Four hero Jeff Chan looked to give the Elasto Painters something positive, sinking a three-pointer with three seconds left in the third but Dondon Hontiveros banked in an off-balanced trey at the buzzer to give the Aces a 76-67 advantage at the end of three. The scores: ALASKA (93) – Baguio 16, Abueva 16, Thoss 13, Manuel 13, Hontiveros 11, Menk 7, Banchero 5, Casio 5, Exciminiano 2, Dela Cruz 2. RAIN OR SHINE (88) – Almazan 16, Lee 14, Quinahan 13, Belga 10, Chan 9, Uyloan 8, Norwood 5, Tang 4, Arana 4, Ibanes 2, Cruz 2, Tiu 0. Quarterscores: 18-29, 41-47, 76-67, 93-88. interaksyon/interaktv/alaska-returns-from-big-deficit-anew-in-game-five-comeback-against-rain-or-shine
Posted on: Sat, 27 Dec 2014 13:44:47 +0000