Aces overcome Bolts for QF duel vs Kings

MANILA, Philippines - Commissioner’s Cup titlist Alaska Milk survived two do-or-die games in two nights as it squeezed out a 94-91 win over the injury-hit Meralco side to grab the last seat in the PLDT MyDSL PBA Philippine Cup playoff stage at the Mall of Asia Arena last night.

Sonny Thoss imposed his huge presence at the post in an overpowering 21-point and seven-rebound performance and Dondon Hontiveros contributed 20 markers, including four crucial charities at the finish, as the Aces hurdled the Bolts to advance to the Final Eight against top seed Barangay Ginebra.

The post-elims play fires off today with third seed Petron Blaze and fourth-ranked Talk n Text tangling with No. 6 Barako Bull and No. 5 San Mig Coffee in the opener of their respective best-of-three quarterfinals duels.

Meanwhile, Ginebra and second seed Rain or Shine take their first of two cracks at the semifinals versus No. 8 Alaska Milk and No. 7 Globalport tomorrow.

“First time we won back-to-back this conference and I’m so happy for the guys,” said Alaska coach Luigi Trillo. “We want to cherish it but we’re battling a team that’s not only popular but very strong, and we have one day to prepare for them.”

Against Meralco, Alaska hardly had time to prepare coming off an earlier do-or-die game versus Barako Bull Sunday.

But the Aces fought with great resolve and survived the wringer.

Thoss, Hontiveros, Gabby Espinas, Cyrus Baguio and Jayvee Casio gave the Aces a big push versus the Bolts in an intense match marred by confrontations between Baguio and Paul Artadi, and Espinas and Cliff Hodge in the first half.

The Aces stayed composed throughout the battle, though, and showed steely nerves in a nerve-wracking finish, overcoming Gary David’s big fourth-quarter explosion.

Just when everybody thought Meralco was done, David went firing, including a rare four-point play pushing Meralco within one at 89-90 with 51.8 ticks left.

But then Hontiveros drained all the charities he had to make in the closing seconds.

The Aces triumphed even with Calvin Abueva again playing limited minutes – this time due to early fouls and an injured right foot.

The 2013 Rookie of the Year awardee failed to return after being helped to the bench by his teammates early in the second period.

Espinas scored on a slam then Casio and Hontiveros knocked in back-to-back treys in a vicious assault opening a 61-44 spread for the Aces in the third quarter.