Tanduay wins battle, but not yet war

Without Sonny Alvarado's case with the Bureau of Immigration, Tanduay Rhum is now safely into the Alaxan PBA All-Filipino Cup finals.

Tanduay simply kept its domination of Purefoods last night, completing a three-game sweep of their semifinals playoff with a 93-70 rout at the Araneta Coliseum.

That would have been enough for the Rhum Masters to clinch the first berth in the best-of-seven finals but the team will have to wait the resolution of Alvarado's case, facing the prospect of forfeiture of two won games if the controversial cager is proven guilty of charges of falsification of public documents.

BI officials have said they are likely to make final decision on Alvarado's case tomorrow.

The Rhum Masters outclassed the Hotdogs again while risking a possible won game forfeit-ure with Alvarado cutting an imposing figure on the hardcourt for the second straight game.

Alvarado logged 27 points, 22 rebounds and six assists in a sterling 46-minute stint.

Tanduay coach Alfrancis Chua later refused to answer queries on Alvarado, maintaining that they would instead focus their buildup for the finals.

Purefoods coach Derrick Pumaren, meanwhile, said they will continue to practice so they will be ready to play either in the fight for third place or the possible resumption of a semis series with Tanduay in case BI throws the book on Alvarado.

Alaska made big runs in the final half while drawing tremendous boost from its backup players as it moved in the threshold of the finals with an 83-78 win over San Miguel Beer in Game Three of their own semis duel.

Bryan Gahol and Rodney Santos rose to the occasion as the Milkmen overcame a struggling start for the win that gave them a 2-1 series lead.