Aces strand Batang Pier, regain solo lead

Games today (Binan, Laguna)

3 p.m. – Talk n Text vs Barako Bull

5:15 p.m. – Meralco vs Purefoods

MANILA, Philippines - Alaska Milk overcame Globalport in a fast and furious game, getting away with key runs in the second half to pull off an 87-84 win and regain the solo lead in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Xavier University gym in Cagayan de Oro last night.

Behind the combination of Calvin Abueva, Jvee Casio, Vic Manuel and Dondon Hontiveros, the Aces seized control at the onset of the fourth quarter and held on even as they went scoreless in the last three minutes of play.

The Aces built 14-point spreads early in the fourth, enough to cushion the Batang Pier’s endgame charge in this Petron Blaze-sponsored Saturday special.

Abueva produced 19 points and six rebounds with Casio, Cyrus Baguio and Sonny Thoss adding double-digit outputs as the Aces rebounded from an upset by the Barako Bull Energy the last time and broke free from a tie with the San Miguel Beermen (6-1).

Alaska regained the solo lead at 7-1 while relegating Globalport to seventh place at 4-4.

The Batang Pier mounted a rally at the finish but failed to bring the game into overtime as Terrence Romeo and Yancy de Ocampo missed a three-point try each in the final minute.

Picking up from where he left off versus Talk n Text, Romeo again came out firing as he tossed in 26 points in a follow-up to a 30-point performance.

Romeo teamed up with Alex Cabagnot, Keith Jensen and Stanley Pringle as the Batang Pier charged back from their last of three 14-point deficits at 65-79, coming to within three at 84-87 with 2:11 left to play.

Somehow, Jewel Ponferada blew their momentum on an offensive foul on Eric Menk.

Still, the Batang Pier got their chance to send the game into overtime but blew it.

Romeo scattered 13 points as the Batang Pier came out strong and led at the half at 37-33.

The Batang Pier twice enjoyed a nine-point lead in the opening quarter, the first at 20-11 on a three-point play by De Ocampo off Hontiveros.

They took another nine-point spread at 22-13 on a short stab by Pringle before closing the first canto at 22-15.

The Aces then found a good rhythm, unleashing a 14-3 run to race ahead at 29-25 in the second period.