Aces ground Express, share lead

Alaska Milk hung tough minus import Rosell Ellis in the last 15 minutes of play, withstanding Air21, 117-107, to catch Red Bull on top in the Talk n Text PBA Fiesta Cup elimination round at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City last night.

Willie Miller scored 10 of his 25 points in the final quarter and drew solid backup jobs from Mike Cortez and John Ferriols as the Aces outmaneuvered the Express at the finish to enhance their bid for an outright seat in the semifinals.

“We won the battle. Hopefully, we can continue to get going to win the war,” said Alaska coach Tim Cone.

Cone was hopeful his boys made the Top Two although he expressed concern they might have lost Ellis for the rest of the tourney due to a hamstring pull or, worse, hamstring tear.

“Ellis is a player who will do anything in his power to continue to play even when injured. He didn’t come back in tonight’s game, so I presume it’s something serious,” said Cone.

Too bad for Alaska, Ellis has become a doubtful starter for the team when the Aces are to challenge Red Bull in a battle for the solo lead in Bacolod Saturday.

San Miguel Beer jumped out of the game and zoomed to the finish as it mauled Welcoat, 119-79, to stay in the fight for an outright semis seat.

“This is one of those nights when just everybody makes his shots. Sila naman halos lahat struggling,” said coach Siot Tanquingcen as his Beermen notched their seventh straight win and eighth in 15 games in all.

“Ellis will be left here to undergo therapy as we fly to Bacolod tomorrow (today). If he gets better, he might follow Friday or Saturday,” said Cone.

Against Air21, Miller, Cortez and Ferriols ably manned the fort  in the fourth quarter as they dealt the Express a third straight defeat.

Sliding to 9-7, Air21 needs to sweep its last two games against San Miguel Beer and Barangay Ginebra to get a shot at an outright semis seat.

Though Ellis cold on the bench, the Aces made a key run in the fourth quarter, erecting three 13-point spreads with the last at 105-92.

But the Express charged back into contention, 101-105, on three straight treys by KG Canaleta and Arwind Santos.

Miller scored on a drive off Shawn Daniels, Reynel Hugnatan tipped in a missed jumper by Ferriols, then Ferriols converted a shot on an assist by Miller as Alaska reestablished control at 111-101.

Back-to-back errors by the Express followed by Sonny Thoss’ two charities clinched it for the Aces.

Miller, Thoss, Ellis, Nic Belasco, Cortez, Ferriols and Jeffrey Cariaso all finished in double figures for Alaska.

“Mike (Cortez) gave us a huge lift when he’s supposed to be under a program. But when Rosell got injured, I said bahala na,” said Cone on Cortez playing extended minutes although he has just returned from the injured list.