Jay R. Gotera Saudi Gazette MANILA — The Alaska Aces continued their amazing run in the playoffs, stunning the top-seeded Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings, 104-97, Wednesday night at the Mall of Asia Arena in the quarterfinals of the PLDT Home DSL PBA Philippine Cup. They square off anew with the Kings Saturday, their fourth straight knockout match after winning three straight do-or-die games. Playing with a sprained right ankle, Alaska's Calvin Abueva proved to be the biggest thorn for the Kings, chalking up a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds. Standing at just 6'1”, Abueva scored over much bigger Ginebra defenders, dived for the loose ball, and forced numerous Ginebra turnovers and missed shots. Six other Aces scored in double figures led by veterans Dondon Hontiveros and Cyrus Baguio, who finished with 18 points apiece. JVee Casio scored 16 points, Sonny Thoss chipped in with 13 while Gabby Espinas and R.J. Jazul added 12 and 10, respectively. The Aces buried the Kings with a barrage of three-pointers, draining 12-of-20 for a sizzling 60 percent rate. They also outrebounded the much taller Kings, 48-46. Alaska was in full control of the match from start to finish, never giving Ginebra any chance to start a game-changing run. The league-leading Kings suffered a second straight heart-breaker after being mowed down by the Talk N Text Tropang Texters during the elimination round's last play date last week. They suddenly find themselves staring at the prospect of elimination Saturday. Ginebra was led by Japeth Aguilar, who scored 22 points. Four other Kings scored in double digits — LA Tenorio with 16, Mark Caguioa 15, Josh Urbiztondo 13 and Gred Slaughter 12. Rain or Shine 106, GlobalPort 96 Burly Beau Belga delivered the crucial baskets and provided the hustle plays to knock off the stubborn GlobalPort Batang Pier, 106-96, thus advancing to the semifinals in the first match of Wednesday night's quarterfinals double-header. Belga scored six of his team's last eight points to douse the fiery endgame rally put up by the Batang Pier as Rain or Shine notched its eighth straight victory in the conference. With 40.5 seconds left, Belga drained a crucial three-pointer that padded Rain or Shine's lead to five, 101-96. After a GlobalPort miss, Belga secured the defensive rebound and was fouled, sending him to the free-throw stripe. He split his charities. GlobalPort still had enough time to steal the game. But again Belga proved to be a huge stumbling block as the 6-foot-six center stole the ball from Terence Romeo. The Batang Pier sent him to the free throw line again to stop the clock. This time around, Belga sank both charities as GlobalPort bowed out of the tournament. Belga, who finished with 17 points, was one of six Painters who scored in double digits. Jervy Cruz top-scored with 18 points, Larry Rodriguez had 16, Gabe Norwood added 14, while Ryan and Paul Lee chipped in 10 apiece. Rain or Shine earlier erected a formidable 15-point lead in the second quarter, 48-33. But the Batang Pier were undaunted. Led by rookie Terrence Romeo and Kelly Nabong, they came charging back to cut Rain or Shine's lead to 98-96. But then came Belga. Romeo finished with 23 points, Nabong had 18, while Sol Mercado added 16. Top gunner Jeff Chan failed to suit up for Rain or Shine due to throat infection. But he was hardly missed as the Painters' frontline proved too tough for GlobalPort to handle. Games Friday: Talk N Text vs. San Mig Coffee; Petron vs. Barako Bull.
