Alaska forces do-or-die Game 7 in PBA finals

Photo from Alaska Aces official Facebook page

MANILA  – Alaska outplayed San Miguel Beer in the fourth quarter to stay in title contention, forcing a do-or-die Game 7 via 87-76 victory on Sunday night in the PBA Philippine Cup finals at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Beermen came out anew with a big start, 18-4, but eventually squandered in the second half as the Aces never looked back enroute to a series-tying victory.

Veteran Dondon Hontiveros topscored with 18 points as Calvin Abueva, the top scorer in the last two games, had a dismal five-point performance.

”I felt our biggest advantage that we had is we played hard and our guys brought in the same intensity. I’ll be praying for that on Game 7,” said Alaska coach Alex Compton.

Arwind Santos spearheaded the Beermen with 22 points. Marcio Lassiter was the only other San Miguel player in double figures with 19.

Game 7 will be played at 7p.m. on Wednesday also at the Araneta Coliseum.

The scores:

ALASKA 87 – Hontiveros 18, Thoss 13, Manuel 12, Baguio 10, Casio 9, Exciminiano 8, Dela Cruz 6, Abueva 5, Jazul 4, Banchero 2, Eman 0, dela Rosa 0, Menk 0, Espinas 0.

SAN MIGUEL 76 – Santos 24, Lassiter 19, Fajardo 9, Cabagnot 8, Kramer 5, Lutz 4, Tubid 3, Omolon 2, Semerad 2, Ross 0, Pascual 0, Fortuna 0, Chua 0, Maierhofer 0.

Quarterscores: 17-23, 42-36, 63-56, 87-76.