ALASKA is still breathing.
For the second straight time, Alaska staved off elimination as it lived to fight another day after downing Rain or Shine, 86-78, in Game 5 of their best-of-seven championship in the 2016 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup Sunday night.
Calvin Abueva showed why he is the Best Player of the Conference by coming up with his finest showing thus far in the finals, pouring in a double-double of 20 points and 13 rebounds, on top of two blocks to allow the Aces to stretch the series yet again.
The finale now stands at 3-2, still in favor of the Elasto Painters, but the Aces have put more pressure on their foes heading into Game 6.
“We still have a chance at this and we’ll continue to take it one game at a time,” added Alaska coach Alex Compton.
“It was another proud game for me and our guys. But still, this doesn’t change my opinion of ROS. It makes me proud of my guys the way we played defense. I don’t know when was the last time they (Painters) scored below 80. The last two games were more of the team that I know, I just want us to play that way,” he added.
The Painters will be looking to finally end it on their third try on Wednesday, while the Aces are hoping to send the series into a winner-take-all Game 7.
Abueva’s clutch baskets lifted Alaska down the stretch.
From a 69-all standoff with five minutes left, the Aces orchestrated a key 5-0 run to take a 74-69 lead in crunch time.
That proved to be the needed separation for Alaska as it was able to hold on, thanks to key baskets from Abueva that kept Rain or Shine at bay.
“Na-3-0 kami. Ngayon na ‘yung recovery namin, nitong last two games. Lumalabas na ‘yung energy namin talaga,” said Abueva.
The scores:
ALASKA 86 – Abueva 20, Dozier 14, Jazul 13, Hontiveros 12, Baguio 11, Banchero 6, Racal 5, Baclao 2, Thoss 2, Dela Rosa 1.
RAIN OR SHINE 78 – Chan 17, Lee 16, Quinahan 9, Cruz 8, Ponferada 8, Henderson Niles 6, Norwood 5, Belga 4, Almazan 2, Ibanes 2, Ahanmisi 1, Tiu 0.
Quarters: 15-19, 37-40, 56-57, 86-78
Game Wednesday
(Finals, Game 6 – Smart Araneta
Coliseum):
7 p.m. – Alaska vs. Rain or Shine