CEBU, Philippines - The Petron Blaze Boosters banked on a furious third-quarter explosion to blow off the Alaska Aces, 100-93, and rule the Sinulog Cup goodwill games via three-game sweep last night at the full-packed Cebu Coliseum.
Import Reynaldo Balkman unloaded 31 points, while Ronald Tubid tossed in 11 of his 14 points in the third canto that set up the stage for Petron's big turnaround. Alaska was in control early, leading by as much as nine points, 43-34, on a 3-pointer by JV Casio at the four-minute mark of the second perido, but Petron slowly crept its way back as the game progressed.
The Aces were on top for the last time at 57-53 as Tubid, egged on by the wild cheers of Cebuanos fans, suddenly waxed hot and sparked a blistering 22-5 spurt that gave the Blaze Boosters their biggest lead at 13 points, 75-62, with a minute left to play in the third.
Alaska threatened for the last time at 89-93 but their comeback hopes were swiftly extinguished when Jay Washington dropped a 3-point bomb and Balkman completed a three-point play to seal the deal for Petron, 99-89, with only 42 seconds left to play.
Earlier, Herbert Hill cashed in 25 points as the Brgy. Ginebra Kings overcame a valiant resistance by the M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala all throughout the 40-minute skirmish to walk away with a precarious 89-86 victory.
The three-day joust served as the final tuneup of Petron, Alaska and Ginebra preparatory for the import-laced PBA Commissioner's Cup set to kick off on February 9 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. (FREEMAN)
The scores
Petron (100) – Balkman 31, Tubid 14, Peña 11, Cabagnot 9, Santos 7, Washington 7, Lanete 6, Miranda 4, Fajardo 4, Yeo 4, Lutz 2
Alaska (93) – Dozier 30, Abueva 17, Baguio 14, Casio 12, Eman 4, Hontiveros 4, de la Cruz 4, Reyes 3, Thoss 2, Ramos 2, Espinas 1
Quarterscores: 21-24; 47-50; 77-65; 100-93