Alaska holds off pesky Barako 5

MANILA, Philippines - Joe De Vance and Diamon Simpson made key plays at endgame as Alaska Milk weathered Sam Monroe’s 36-point explosion to get back at Barako Energy Coffee, 104-96, in the PBA Fiesta Conference at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium last night.

With the Aces holding a slim 99-96 lead with 1:13 left in the contest, De Vance tipped in a missed shot by Simpson then the Alaska import stole off Monroe and scored on a slam to hold off a Barako side aching to get out of the cellar.

Avenging their 98-106 loss to the Energy Coffee Masters in their previous tiff, the Aces forced a three-way tie at third with the B-MEG Derby Ace Llamados and the Barangay Ginebra Kings at 8-5.

Ginebra seeks to bolt out of that logjam as the Kings face the Talk n Text Tropang Texters in a crucial match at the Batangas City Sports Complex today.

The Kings parade another new import in Denham Brown in the 5 p.m. contest serving as part of the Phoenix Fuel PBA on Tour.

Barako failed to sustain the momentum of a strong start and an endgame rally as the Energy Coffee Masters reeled to their sixth straight defeat and their 12th in 14 games overall.

“We knew they’re confident and they would play us hard. A little disappointment for us is that, for the third time in a row, we got a big lead but were not able to finish at that point,” said Alaska coach Tim Cone.

“We allowed the game to get close down the stretch. At this point, we’re not consistent. Our bench is not playing as well we’d like it to play. We need to be able to finish those games. That’s the next level for us. We have to grow,” Cone also said.

The Aces nearly squandered a 16-point spread with Monroe firing away 17 points in the final quarter.

Monroe wound up with 36 points on top of eight rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block. Simpson only had 23 points but had the last laugh as he came through with a big play at the finish, helping Alaska to squeeze through.

The Aces sealed the win as Simpson stole off Monroe then sprinted down court for a slam that made it 103-96.

Air21 played with renewed confidence on the debut of new import LeRoy Hickerson, and the Express got some relief as they nipped the Coca-Cola Tigers, 104-102, in the second game.

“LeRoy could be a game changer with the way he played. Too soon to say but I think he has the personality to lead the team and the ability to put up numbers,” said Air21 coach Yeng Guiao.

Alaska thus tied Derby Ace and Ginebra at 8-5, a game in front of sixth-running Rain or Shine (6-6).

Cone, however, already conceded the two outright semis slots to San Miguel (11-2) and TnT (11-2).

“It’s hard to imagine San Miguel and Talk n Text losing three of their last five games. Don’t expect the two teams helping some guys,” said Cone.

“We need to win as much as we can. The worst thing it to get to the wild card round,” Cone also said.