Alaska Secures Second Spot for Twice to Beat Advantage. Sets face-off with Ginebra

Photo by PBA Media Bureau

Alaska has been consistently getting playoff spot in most of the conferences in the PBA under Compton but can't seem to clinch consistency on getting that championship. They've also seen multiple finals appearances but always falling short everytime, but this season they are off to prove something and break that spell that they've been on in the last few tourneys.

In this game against Rain or Shine who was on a mission to crack that final spot in the quarter finals, was not easy for the Aces as Calvin Abueva was limited to more than 12 minutes only due to foul trouble.

They've been trailing in most of the quarters specifically during the first 36 minutes of regulation but managed to get back in the game after a huge run led by their key players such as Casio, Eximiniano and the rest of the guys who took over after Abueva was sent to the bench due to 6 fouls in the fourth quarter. Casio listed a huge 25 point performance that lifted the Aces to get that the solo second spot in the standing with (7-4) win-loss record who obviously took the responsibility to steer their way on the passenger seat despite of Abueva's short playing time limited to only 12(minutes) due to foul trouble who eventually fouled out.

Star Hotshots and the Aces are technically tied at the second spot after the final games in the elimination but the Aces emerged and claimed the slot next to the Beermen via the Win-over-the-other rule in this Philippine Cup format.

Alaska will be facing Ginebra with a twice to beat advantage but this edge does not guarantee them a semi-finals berth due to a lot of things to consider. Alaska is currently nursing some injuries while Ginebra has a healthy roster and deep bench as their arsenal who just recently won against NLEX with a huge turn around after also being down in most of the game.

The scores:

ALASKA 94 - Casio 25, Thoss 13, Manuel 13, Jazul 12, Mendoza 8, Exciminiano 6, Racal 5, Hontiveros 5, Abueva 4, Galliguez 2, Cruz 1, Pascual 0.

RAIN OR SHINE 89 - Norwood 16, Yap 16, Cruz 12, Chan 10, Tiu 9, Washington 8, Belga 6, Ponferada 6, Ahanmisi 4, Trollano 2, Matias 0.

Quarters: 17-19, 43-45, 66-71, 94-89