Everyone a hero in Alaska eruption

Enzo Flojo

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Everybody played a role as Alaska defeated Ginebra for the PBA Commissioner's Cup title.

SKYING HIGH. Dozier had 6 blocks to go with his 20 rebounds. Photo by PBA Images/Nuki Sabio.

2013 PBA Commissioners Cup Finals Game 3

Alaska Aces (104) – (80) Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings

The Best: Wala pa ring tatalo sa Alaska. In retrospect, it seems this really was meant for the Aces. They lost just three games in the eliminations to finish as the #1 seed. They exorcised their demons by beating San Mig Coffee in the semifinals, and now they completed their quest by sweeping an embattled Ginebra squad.

It’s a storybook tale fit for a franchise that seemed to lose its luster after going through more downs than ups in the past few seasons. With its last title way back in 2010 and legendary coach Tim Cone jumping ship, it sure looked like Alaska was on its way to irrelevance, but with new blood and renewed fervor, the franchise’s glory days (last seen in the 90s) may yet see the light of day anew.

The Worst: Ginebra had its own fairy tale to spin, but all that happened here was the Kings fighting like mad dogs only to see everything spin out of control in the fourth quarter. Down by just 2 in the payoff period after Chris Ellis’s last basket, the Kings went cold and witnessed a mind-blowing (and title-clinching) 24-2 flurry by the Aces that left more than 23,000 paying patrons at the Big Dome wide-eyed. Now the Kings are sent back to the drawing board, tired and broken.

Heroes aplenty: Calvin Abueva was snubbed in the Best Player of the Conference vote, but he let his game speak in this one. The former San Sebastian Stag finished with 22 points and 10 rebounds in a performance worthy of greatness (and ire, if you’re a Ginebra fan). Best Player? Nah. How about Beast Payer.

And how about the first ever recipient of the Bobby Parks Best Import of the Conference — Rob Dozier? The former Memphis Tiger was dominant with 27 points, 20 points, 7 assists, and 6 blocks. Needless to say, he completely outplayed Ginebra’s Vernon Macklin. Also stepping up big were “The Boss” Sonny Thoss and former Gilas playmaker JV Casio. They were both the main sparks behind Alaska’s series-ending run, scoring 18 and 13 markers respectively by game’s end. – Rappler.com

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