Aces beat Hotshots, get Finals slot

Alaska Aces import Romeo Travis (middle) protects the ball against a double-teaming pair of Star Hotshots defenders Joe Devance and Rafi Reavis. The Aces brought out the brooms and swept the Hotshots, 3-0, after posting an 82-77 victory in the 2015 Philippine Basketball Association Governors Cup July 5, Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. (Photo courtesy of Alaska Aces)

MANILA – Doing everything as planned; Alaska Aces outsmarted and defeated former champs Star Hotshots with 82-77, earning them the first slot into the PBA Governor’s Cup Finals.

“I love my guys, I just love ‘em,” Alaska coach Alex Compton said after the match.

Romeo Travis scored 10 points in the fourth quarter, leading the Aces with 79-77 in the last two minutes.

The Hotshots, which previously dominated the series, was not able to add more points in the last minutes of the match.

Marqus Blakely and James Yap attempted shots but missed.

Vic Manuel then gained 2 more points, leading the Aces with 81-77. The game ended with 82-77.

Travis scored 19 points overall, Manuel got 14 points, Cyrus Baguio and Rome Dela Rosa each finished with 11 points.

Yap, on the other hand, scored 20 points for Hotshots, Blakely got 15 points, and Mallari added 9 points to the team.

Alaska is now set to compete with the winner of the San Miguel Beer-Rain or Shine game today. The team eyed winning this season, learning from its previous loss to San Miguel Beer.

Total Scores:

ALASKA Aces 82 – Travis 19, Manuel 14, Baguio 11, Dela Rosa 11, Casio 9, Abueva 5, Banchero 5, Hontiveros 4, Thoss 4, Baclao 0, Jazul 0.

STAR Hotshots 77—Yap 20, Blakely 15, Mallari 9, Devance 8, Pingris 8, Taha 6, Barroca 5, Reavis 4, Simon 2, Melton 0, Pennisi 0.

Quarters: 16-23, 37-46, 60-65, 82-77