Alaska completes semis cast

Chris Carrawell took charge when his teammates fumbled in the stretch as Alaska Milk survived a ferocious endgame rally by FedEx, 82-67, yesterday to arrange a best-of-five semifinal duel with Talk N’ Text in the 2002 PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the PhilSports Arena.

Outclassed by Jermaine Walker in their 76-79 loss last Saturday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City, Carrawell redeemed himself as he erupted for 10 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter when the Aces almost blew a 31-point third quarter lead.

But outside of Carrawell’s explosive game, Alaska coach Tim Cone said it was defense that spelled victory for the Aces.

"Chris played a tremendous all-around game but I think the key here was our defense," said Cone. "We tried to think of Walker less and concentrate on (Frantz) Pierre-Louis more."

AJ Williams was Alaska’s source of inside strength as he helped Ali Peek, Don Allado, Rob Duat contain Walker and Pierre-Louis, who were held to a combined output of 32 points after teaming up for 48 markers in their first quarterfinal match.

Williams finished with 16 points, 11 rebounds and six blocked shots, the bulk of which at the expense of Pierre-Louis, who could only come up with 12 markers.

It all started in the first 25 minutes of play when Alaska’s defense held FedEx to just 26 points as the Aces stormed ahead, 57-26 .

But Walker and Ren Ren Ritualo stepped up and spearheaded a blistering attack that saw the Express knocking on the Aces’ door going into the final period, 44-63.

A Jerry Codiñera-inspired 13-2 blitz trimmed what was once a mighty 31-point lead to just eight points, 57-65, with five minutes remaining before Carrawell delivered the killing blows.

Meanwhile, RP Selecta tests a tall but lean Chinese-Taipei anew today at the Ynares Center in the finale of their pair of exhibition matches.

With rock solid Asi Taulava doing most of the damage, the Nationals blasted the Taiwanese, 95-59.