Aces extend last dance

Gin Kings keep title defense alive

MANILA, Philippines — Don’t sound the final buzzer yet for Alaska Milk.

With firm resolve, the seventh-seeded Aces hacked out a huge 93-79 victory over No. 2 NLEX yesterday to extend the PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinal duel – and their emotional farewell tour – to a sudden-death.

To loud cheers from the Alaska faithful at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, the Aces charged back from an early 16-point deficit and did everything needed to prevail and stave off elimination against their twice-to-beat opponents.

From new import Mark Saint Fort to young star Jeron Teng to backups Mike Tolomia and Yousef Taha, coach Jeff Cariaso’s team put up a spirited performance to put itself in position to go all the way to the Final Four with a repeat against NLEX in Saturday’s do-or-die.

Saint Fort, who arrived four days ago to replace the injury-hampered Olu Ashaolu, debuted with 17 points and 14 rebounds and got enough support from the local crew. Teng scored 16 with six boards while Abu Tratter had a 12-10 double-double, Tolomia chipped in 10 and Taha had 12 rebounds on top of nine points.

“We didn’t want it to be our last game. What makes it harder is compared to the announcement (of Alaska’s PBA departure a month ago), we’re kinda closer to possibly seeing the end,” said Cariaso.

“That in itself is a challenge and a motivation so we tried to use that to motivate us even more, to focus even more and play together even more.”

In the nightcap, No. 6 Barangay Ginebra refused to say “die” and  turned back third-ranked TNT, 104-92, to drag the Tropang Giga to a KO for a semis ticket.

With their “Sixth Man” rallying behind them, the Gin Kings delivered a gutsy performance capped by a deciding 10-2 salvo in the last two minutes to survive the must-win game and keep their title defense alive.

Justin Brownlee, with 38 markers and 12 boards, and Scottie Thompson, with 23 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists, showed the way for Ginebra, which recovered after blowing an early 19-point margin.=