Aces eye title or face tougher duel vs Beermen

MANILA, Philippines - Either Alaska Milk ends it all tonight or face a full-blown crisis in a San Miguel Beer fightback.

With the pressure of a four-game title sweep out of the way and wary of the threat the Beermen could put up if they live to fight another game, the Aces take their second crack at the Smart Bro PBA Philippine Cup crown in Game Five of the best-of-seven title playoff at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

A match beyond Game Five could really be dangerous for the Aces especially with the Beermen already seemingly adjusted playing minus the injury-stricken June Mar Fajardo.

On Sunday, Gabby Espinas, Marcio Lassiter, Arwind Santos, Alex Cabagnot and Chris Ross all played key roles as the Beermen ended the Aces’ searing seven-game romp from the semifinals with a dramatic 110-104 overtime win.

Lassiter topscored with 26 points, Espinas came through with a double-double game with 21 markers and 14 rebounds and Santos had his mini double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds.

Then there were clutch plays by Ross, Cabagnot and Yancy de Ocampo as the Beermen forced a fifth game in the title playoff.

The consensus now is that the longer the Aces let the series go, the more they’re exposing themselves to risk of ruin.

Alaska coach Alex Compton insists they’ve got to be better if they’re to stop the Beermen.

SMB coach Leo Austria, for his part, is hoping they will be able to sustain the momentum of their Game Four triumph.

The San Miguel bench chieftain said they must keep the same approach they did in Game Four.

“The players were waiting for somebody to be a leader, our take-charge guy minus June Mar. Arwind’s trying his best,” said Austria.

“Chris Ross started in Game Four as he wanted to help Alex Cabagnot (in tending the backcourt). The guys showed their champion’s heart,” Austria also said.

The San Miguel reserves somehow have also got into the groove of things.

In Game Four, they produced 62 points and were barely beaten by their Alaska counterparts (with 66). In Game One, Alaska walloped SMB, 75-17, in bench points, then enjoyed a 49-17 advantage in Game Two and, 50-37, in Game Three.

“They fought hard,” said Compton. “It’s not going to be easy for us in the next game.”

The two teams are both expected to come out strong from a two-day respite.

“They will continue to press and we have to be ready for that. I really hope the momentum has swung on our side on our Game Four win,” said Austria.

Austria and his troops are now chasing history, looking to be the first team in PBA finals lore to win a crown from a 0-3 series deficit.