Alaska stuns San Miguel, takes 2-1 lead

Photo from Alaska Aces official Facebook page

MANILA – The Alaska Aces rallied in the final twelve minutes of game 3 for a 2-1 series edge against the San Miguel Beermen last Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Coming from an early 22-point deficit, Alaska gave their all to beat San Miguel, 78-70, in the 2015 PBA Philippine Cup Finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“I have no idea. I really have no idea (how we won). At some point in the third quarter I told coach Louie, ‘they were just really beating us. We got to change things up,” said Alaska head coach Alex Compton.

“They were really beating us. They were playing great. They had a really good game plan. They looked sharp.”

During the third canto, the Aces were down, 61-40 with 2:10 left in the clock. The entered the final quarter, 64-46.

But all of a sudden, points were raining from their side.

“We just felt and I told the guys we need to give our all in the first six minutes,” Compton noted. “We just need our energy. And they did much better than that. I’m completely not a genius and I didn’t do anything magical. The guys just played hard.”

He added, “Everything starts with our defense. I thought our defensive intensity in the fourth quarter was just incredible.

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After the Beermen scored 27 and 29 points in the second and third quarter, respectively, the Aces worked on its defense to hold back their opponent allowing them to make only six points.

“[The] guys not giving up and everybody coming in with a defensive mindset,” said Alaska center Sonny Thoss.

Calvin Abueva had 16 points, 15 rebounds and five assists. He was supported by Ping Exciminiano.

The fourth game is scheduled on Wednesday night at the Big Dome.