Alaska averts ouster, enters QF

Games today (Biñan, Laguna)

2:45 p.m. – Meralco vs Globalport

5:15 p.m. – Air21 vs San Miguel Beer

Standings                            W            L

Talk n Text                             6              2

Air21                                      5              3

Ginebra                                 5              3

Rain or Shine                       5              3

San Mig Coffee                     5              3

Alaska                                    4              4

San Miguel                            4              4

Barako Bull                            3              5

Meralco                                   2              6

Globalport                              1              7

MANILA, Philippines - Facing elimination, Alaska Milk fought back with back-to-back victories over San Mig Coffee and Barangay Ginebra to secure the last slot in the PBA PLDT Home Telpad Governors Cup Final Eight at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City last night.

Still on the brink before last night’s game, the Aces sustained the momentum of their 93-84 win over the Mixers the last time out, reigning over the Kings, 79-66, to complete the quarterfinals cast.

So decisive was Alaska’s turnaround from a three-game slump that the Aces also charged into contention for the Top Four and its twice-to-beat bonus in the quarterfinals.

Improving their win-loss record to 4-4, the Aces slammed the quarters door on the Meralco Bolts (2-6).

“I felt they (the Kings) were tired coming from their intense game Wednesday. And the longer rest that we had showed today,” said Alaska Milk coach Alex Compton.

“I appreciate my players’ energy. Ginebra had a good run in the second half but I’m proud of my guys they came back on their own,” Compton also said.

Dominated majority of the game, the Kings seized the moment briefly on a 19-6 start in the final half to move ahead 44-42.

The Aces, however, were neither rattled nor fazed, regrouping and coming through with a lethal attack in the fourth quarter to send the Kings down on their knees.

With a 5-3 slate, the Kings’ Top Four bid hung in the balance. They face the Talk n Text Tropang Texters in a crucial match tomorrow at the Big Dome.

The Aces were in full control all throughout until the Kings came out firing from the halftime huddle.

But after the Kings tasted the lead for the first time at 44-42, the Aces quickly answered with an eight-to-nothing run to regain the upper hand at 50-44.

Henry Walker, Calvin Abueva and Sonny Thoss pressed their bid in the fourth quarter and thus the Aces won the game with plenty to spare.

Meanwhile, Air21 and San Miguel Beer square off in the 5:15 p.m. mainer of the Petron Blaze Saturday Special at the Alonte Sports Arena in Biñan, Laguna today, with the Express hoping to nail another win to close out a record performance in the elims.

Paul Harris rebounded strong from a flat 14-point game the last time out, pouring in a PBA personal record of nine three-pointers and a total of 39 points as Talk n Text warded off San Mig Coffee, 92-88, to assure itself of twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.

 The Mixers twice charged back from a double-digit deficit but the Tropang Texters hung on to regain solo lead at 6-2 while sending San Mig to joint second with Air21, Ginebra and Rain or Shine at 5-3.

Notes: A towering presence in the crowd last night was four-time MVP awardee Ramon Fernandez. He watched last night’s games with former Toyota teammate and 1976 Rookie of the Year awardee Gil Cortez.

The scores:

First Game

Alaska 79 – Walker 16, Abueva 14, Espinas 13, Casio 8, Thoss 8, Manuel 8, Baguio 6, Jazul 5, Hontiveros 1, Reyes 0, Belasco 0, Dela Cruz 0.

Ginebra 66 – Mason 21, Caguioa 10, Slaughter 7, Baracael 6, Aguilar 6, Tenorio 4, Urbiztondo 3, Knuttel 2, Ababou 2, Helterbrand 2, Mamaril 2, Ellis 1, Monfort 0.

Quarterscores: 20-11, 36-25, 55-51, 79-66

Second Game

Talk n Text 92 – Harris 39, Castro 19, De Ocampo 12, Fonacier 9, Baclao 7, Williams 2, Carey 2, Canaleta 2, Reyes J. 0, Reyes R. 0.

San Mig Coffee 88 – Devance 30, Blakely 21, Barroca 10, Yap 9, Sangalang 7, Simon 6, Maliksi 3, Pingris 2, Mallari 0, Reavis 0.

Quarterscores: 31-21, 53-45, 68-70, 92-88