Aces storm past slumping Beermen

Games tomorrow (Smart Araneta Coliseum)

5:45 – Globalport vs Rain or Shine

8 p.m. – San Mig Coffee vs Talk n Text

MANILA, Philippines - Alaska Milk capitalized on San Miguel Beer’s endgame breakdown, coming through with a 13-to-nothing closing run in the intense, tight game as the Aces turned the tables on the Beermen, 89-78, in the PLDT Home TVolution PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Alonte Sports Arena in Binan, Laguna last night.

The Aces were down, 76-78, before Jayvee Casio knocked in a three-pointer to touch off their mind-boggling finish that gave them a second straight win following an 88-78 victory over the Air21 Express nearly two weeks ago.

Alaska shook off the rust in time in the Petron-sponsored Saturday Special, rallying from an eight-point deficit, 42-50, midway in the third quarter and fighting tough to the end as the Aces caught up with the Express and the Meralco Bolts at fourth place with their identical 3-3 win-loss card.

San Miguel went without a single basket in the last five minutes of play and fell down to a second loss before taking its turn to take a long break.

The Beermen, now at 5-2, play the San Mig Coffee Mixers in a key match on April 12 before closing out their elims schedule versus the Air21 Express four days later.

San Miguel is likely to miss the Top Two and a twice-to-beat incentive in the quarters in case it loses to San Mig Coffee.

Rod Dozier buried two free throws and snared crucial rebounds in their blistering windup, and got away with a remarkable 20-point and 20-rebound against the tall SMB frontline led by Kevin Jones and Junmar Fajardo.

In the game marred by couples of technical fouls and lots of bumping, shoving and trash talking, the Beermen were very much in the fight until their sudden meltdown in the last five minutes.