Masters earn playoff shot

Mike Cortez canned in a charity with three-tenths of a second left, and Magnolia nipped Alaska Milk, 80-79, for a guaranteed playoff crack at an outright quarterfinals berth in the Smart PBA Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum last night.

The Beverage Masters closed out their stint in the double-round elimination phase with a 10-8 win-loss card as they dealt the Aces the crucial setback that gave the Air21 Express a free ride into the semifinals.

Red Bull also benefited from Magnolia’s victory, assuring itself of at least a slot in the quarterfinals. The Bulls take the second outright semis berth with a win in their last two assignments.

Cortez gained a trip to the line on a tough foul referee Raymund Maurillo called on Randy Holcomb in the dying seconds.

“That was a big break for us and it’s part of the game,” said Magnolia coach Siot Tanquingcen.

The Aces vehemently protested the call enabling Cortez to shoot the winning free throw.

Alaska coach Tim Cone approached the technical officials after the questioned call. Curiously, NBA officiating analyst Craig Gesmore was sitting next to the league officials, watching his first PBA game.

Alaska suffered a second loss in its last three games and slid to 9-8.

Holcomb, who struggled for 15 points on a 5-of-9 field-goal shooting, scored on a tough acrobatic shot to tie the count at 79-all with 11.8 ticks left.

After a timeout, Magnolia went to Amal McCaskill who passed the ball to a cutting Cortez who then went for a desperation shot with the clock winding down.

Cortez’ shot went wild but Maurillo called the crucial infraction on Holcomb.

McCaskill finished with 17 rebounds and 15 points while Cortez tossed in 18 points to pace the Beverage Masters.

Alaska top gun Willie Miller was 3-of-13 from the field in his return from a one-game layoff due to chicken pox.