Aces, Beermen thwart rivals

Ajani Williams, practically missing in action in the first three quarters of play, went to work in the final period last night as Alaska Milk kept its hopes for the Samsung PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals with an 84-81 decision over Talk N Text at the Philsports Arena.

Later in the night, San Miguel Beer duplicated Alaska’s feat, playing one big game together to smother Red Bull, 102-68.

The Aces and the Beermen go for the equalizer in Game Four tomorrow at the Astrodome.

Williams pumped in nine points in the payoff period and hauled down crucial offensive rebounds in the stretch as he personally foiled Talk N Text’s sweep bid in their own side of the semifinals.

For the first time in the series, the Aces took control at the start and showed grace, poise and confidence under pressure at the finish to stay in the fight for the finals.

"We’re not thinking of not being swept or just winning a game. It’s still winning the series that we had in mind," said Alaska coach Tim Cone.

Chris Carrawell provided the firepower early on, scoring a team-high 32 points, before Williams took over, delivering the decisive blows on the Phone Pals in the homestretch. Williams was limited to only five points in the first 30 minutes of play.

Williams fuelled a searing run that gave Alaska a nine-point spread at 71-62 at the outset of the fourth quarter although it was his crucial offensive rebounds in the final minute that had the Aces eventually clinching the win.

The reed-thin but high-leaping import cleared the offensive board following a missed jumper by Carrawell with Alaska protecting a precarious 82-81 lead with 14 ticks left in the clock. He kicked the ball out to Rob Duat who made it 84-81 on two charities off a foul by Gilbert Demape.

Jerald Honeycutt made an attempt to send the game into overtime in the last two seconds but overhit the rim. Mark Telan grabbed the looseball and tried to beat the buzzer with another try from beyond the arc. He did make the shot but it was nullified by a dribbling infraction called by the referees.

Talk N Text coach Bill Bayno charged at the referees after the game. Thus, the highly emotional American mentor was once again summoned by the Commissioner’s Office and is likely to draw another fine.

John Arigo started at off-guard spot for Alaska but he played only three minutes as he was nursing a hamstring injury.

Pete Mickeal, who led the Phone Pals with 34 points on 13-of-23 shooting from the field, and Ali Peek, who made nine points, got into each other’s nerves and were called for a double-foul in a rebound scuffle in the second quarter.