Aces halt Kings' amazing streak, clinch top spot

MANILA, Philippines -- Alaska Milk ended Barangay Ginebra’s amazing six-game streak and clinched playoffs top-seeding as the Aces topped the Gin Kings, 102-93, in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup before a huge roaring crowd at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Wednesday night.

Held scoreless in the first five minutes of the third quarter, the Aces fought back shutting the Kings out in a five-minute stretch in the crunch to pull off the decisive win that guaranteed them of a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.

With a 10-3 win-loss card, Alaska finishes ahead of everybody regardless of the result of its last game in the eliminations versus Globalport Sunday at the MOA Arena. 

Ginebra, moving down to 7-6, bowed out of the running for the Top Two.

“It’s good that we value our possessions and we had enough as Ginebra made their comeback. We survived the run,” said Alaska coach Luigi Trillo.

Rob Dozier came through with a huge double-double with 28 points and 20 rebounds with Cyrus Baguio, Gabby Espinas, Calvin Abueva and Jayvee Casio adding at least 10 points each as the Aces made it two in a row over the Kings in the elims.

The Scores:

Alaska 102 --  Dozier 28, Baguio 13, Espinas 12, Abueva 11, Hontiveros 10, Casio 8, Thoss 8, Dela Cruz 6, Jazul 4, Ramos 2.

Ginebra 93 – Macklin 27, Tenorio 19, Baracael 16, Labagala 8, Raymundo 8, Hatfield 7, Espiritu 3, Ellis 2, Helterbrand 2, Taha 1, Jensen 0, Maierhofer 0, Wilson 0.

Quarters: 30-18; 55-41; 71-69; 102-93.