Game today
Araneta Coliseum
7 p.m.- San Miguel vs. Rain or Shine
For the second time this season, the Alaska Aces will contend for the championship crown.
The Aces brought out the broom and completed a clean 3-0 sweep over the defending champions Star Hotshots, nailing a hard-earned 82-77 win last night in Game 3 of their best-of-five semifinal series of the 40th PBA Governors’ Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
Duplicating their feat in the Philippine Cup where they also made it to the finals before losing to the San Miguel Beermen in a gripping seven-game series, the Aces earned their 28th trip to the finals, breaking a tie at second place with Star, which has 27.
San Miguel Beer has the most championship appearances with 34.
Star practically controlled the match. The Hotshots led after the first period, 23-16, and was ahead at the bend, 46-37, behind the 15-point first-half production of James Yap.
The Hotshots were still in the lead entering the final period, 65-60.
But the Aces once again did what they have been doing with regularity, displaying their resolute form behind their solid defense that saw them holding the Hotshots scoreless inside the final three minutes.
Star took a 77-74 lead in the final 2:56 but Romeo Travis scored in the paint then hit a three-pointer, giving Alaska the lead for good, 79-77, with two minutes to go.
Star had a chance to tie the contest but James Yap missed a long three-point shot then Vic Manuel iced the win for Alaska by sinking a baseline jumper with 30.1 seconds remaining.
THE SCORES
ALASKA (82) – Travis 19, Manuel 14, Baguio 11, Dela Rosa 11, Casio 9, Banchero 5, Abueva 5, Thoss 4, Hontiveros 4, Baclao 0, Jazul 0.
STAR (77)- Yap 20, Blakely 15, Mallari 9, Pingris 8, Devance 8, Taha 6, Barroca 5, Reavis 4, Simon 2, Melton 0, Pennisi 0.
QUARTER SCORES: 16-23, 37-46, 60-65, 82-77.
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