Games today
Araneta Coliseum
3:00 p.m.- Star vs. Barako Bull
5:15 p.m.- Meralco vs. Rain or Shine
The Alaska Aces squandered a 21-point third quarter lead but regrouped in time to beat the San Miguel Beermen, 82-77, last night in an out-of-town game of the 40th PBA Governors’ Cup at the Panabo Multi-purpose Tourism, Sports and Cultural Center in Davao del Norte.
Import Romeo Travis exploded for 32 points and pumped in crucial points in the dying seconds that saved the Aces from what could have been a gigantic meltdown.
The hard-earned win allowed the Aces to secure the number one seeding and a twice-to-beat edge over the number eight team in the quarterfinal round.
It was Alaska’s fourth win in a row, hiking its record to 8-2 (win-loss) with still one assignment left against the GlobalPort Batang Pier.
The loss snapped San Miguel’s eight-game win streak as the Beermen ended their elimination round campaign with an 8-3 record. Despite the loss, San Miguel will still be twice-to-beat in the playoff as it is already assured of a top four slot.
Alaska led by 21 points, 53-32, early in the third but San Miguel came roaring back, trimming the deficit to just six, 59-65, heading into the final period.
Then late in the fourth, Ronald Tubid helped San Miguel tie things up, converting a rare four-point play that made it 74-all.
The Beermen completed the mighty comeback when Marcio Lassiter buried a three-pointer, putting the Beermen on top, 77-74.
Travis then saved the day for Alaska, scoring five straight points to put the Aces on top again, 79-77, with 51.2 seconds left.
Travis’ hustle plays in the dying seconds sealed the win for Alaska.
San Miguel import Arizona Reid missed a three-pointer but Dondon Hontiveros also muffed his own three-point attempt in Alaska’s possession.
Travis, however, kept the ball alive for Alaska, tapping the ball to an open teammate.
San Miguel was forced to foul Jvee Casio with 13.2 seconds left.
Casio made the first free throw but missed the second. Travis again secured the offensive rebound, earning another trip to the free throw line for Casio with 7.4 seconds to go.
Casio nailed both freebies to peg the final count.
Travis bagged the Best Player of the Game honors as he also added 10 rebounds, two assists and two blocked shots. Calvin Abueva chipped in 12 points.
Reid led San Miguel with 17 points but shot just seven-for-24 from the field.
Tubid wound up with 15 points, while Cebuano big man June Mar Fajardo tallied 12 points, 12 rebounds and three blocked shots.
CRUCIAL TWINBILL
The battle for playoff positioning continues with a pair of crucial games today at the Araneta Coliseum.
The defending champions Star Hotshots collide with the slumping Barako Bull Energy in the first game, while duking it out in the main match at the Meralco Bolts and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
Rain or Shine and Barako Bull are tied with GlobalPort for the third to fifth spots with identical 6-4 records.
Meralco is at sixth with a 5-4 slate, while Star occupies the eighth place with a 4-5 ledger.