Alaska nips Rain or Shine to clinch twice-to-beat edge

MANILA, Philippines – The Alaska Aces frustrated the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the fourth quarter to take home a 94-89 come-from-behind win in the 2017 PBA Philippine Cup on Wednesday, February 1, at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay.

Though trailing for the first 3 quarters, Alaska came alive in the fourth just in time to snatch the victory from Rain or Shine and formally end up as the second seed with the twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.

The Aces, who finished with a 7-4 record, will clash with Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.

JVee Casio paced Alaska with 25 points on 5-of-6 shooting from deep to go with 5 rebounds. His two free throws with 2:18 to play broke the 89-all deadlock for good.

Sonny Thoss had 13 points as Vic Manuel chipped in 13 markers and 12 boards off the bench.

RJ Jazul produced 12 points and 5 rebounds in a game in which Calvin Abueva failed to get in rhythm, attempting only 7 field goals and making two for his 4 points along with 4 rebounds and 3 turnovers.

Abueva fouled out with over 5 minutes remaining and was visibly frustrated with his performance.

Ping Exciminiano had just 6 points but made the crucial layup off a steal for the 4-point cushion with 1:15 to go.

Meanwhile, forward Jaypee Mendoza was stretchered off with 26.1 ticks remaining and Alaska still ahead by 93-89 after he landed badly in a mid-air collision with Jericho Cruz.

Mendoza, who started the game and had 8 points and 5 rebounds, lay on the floor for a time holding his neck and was soon put in a neck brace. A courtside report during the broadcast said initial diagnosis was neck spasms.

Rain or Shine had Gabe Norwood and James Yap bearing the scoring load with 16 points each. Yap was 3-of-6 from downtown while Norwood added 8 rebounds and 3 assists.

Cruz contributed 12 points, 6 boards, and 4 dimes, while Jeff Chan settled for 10 points.

The Painters wrapped up eliminations with a 5-6 slate and have set up a knockout game with Blackwater Elite. The winner will go on as the eighth seed in the playoffs and will face the twice-to-beat defending champions, the San Miguel Beermen.

The other quarterfinals pairings have TNT facing Globalport and Star taking on Phoenix, both in best-of-3 matchups.

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.

Quarter scores: 17-19, 43-45, 66-71, 94-89.

– Rappler.com