All-Filipino cast saves win for Aces

Mike Cortez practically played the role of an import for Alaska Milk last night, scoring a career-high 27 points as the Aces overcame the Sta. Lucia Realtors,108-104, in a classic double-overtime contest to move within a win of the San Mig Coffee PBA Fiesta Cup quarterfinals at the Astrodome.

Cortez took charge for Alaska with Odell Bradley shackled by the Sta. Lucia defense, making seven points in the fourth quarter and adding 11 in the two extra periods to power the Aces to the crucial victory in the opener of their best-of-three wildcard series with the Realtors.

The Aces go for the series-clincher Wednesday at the Astrodome and, if necessary, on Friday at the Araneta Coliseum.

"I hope I won’t see high-fives and no nothing in the dugouts. We have to finish this series first," said coach Tim Cone, wary his Aces may become complacent and blow away their 1-0 lead in the short series.

"We’re also in this situation last conference against Red Bull. We’re already enjoying a sort of twice-to-beat advantage only to lose it in the end," Cone added.

Bradley got hounded by Nelbert Omolon’s and Chester Tolomia’s defense that Cone opted to go all-Filipino for most of the fourth quarter and the two extensions plays.

Air21 also moved on the threshold of the quarterfinal round as the Express rallied behind the ouster of coach Bo Perasol on technical fouls late in the third quarter in whipping the San Miguel Beermen, 97-88, in Game One of their own best-of-three wildcard series.

"We have to win it in Game Three if we’re to take this series. It would be very difficult to play a champion team in a do-or-die match," said Perasol.