Alaska Milk started flat before drawing the spark from its bench then the tremendous lift from import Mike Harris in the crunch as the Aces put to an end Meralco's mind-boggling run and clinch the second berth in the PBA Governors Cup Finals at the Cuneta Astrodome Saturday night.
Vic Manuel, Jvee Casio, Jake Pascual and Jeron Teng played key roles off the bench while Harris simply imposed himself in the closing minutes as Alaska tripped Meralco, 99-92, to gain the right to play Magnolia Pambansang Manok in the best-of-seven title playoff.
The combatants first get a 17-day breather before opening their title showdown on Dec. 5 at the MOA Arena as the league will give way to Team Philippines' campaign in the fifth and penultimate window of the FIBA World Cup qualifier.
Both sides welcome the break as both now feel the rigors of the tough playoff grind.
The Aces acknowledged the great challenge put up by the Bolts despite a badly crippled lineup.
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"My respect to Meralco increased every game," said Alaska coach Alex Compton.
"They were warriors. They fought all series long. They did an amazing job. But today, it was about us showing our real character, showing signs that we're a good team," said Harris.
The Aces did show tremendous character, fighting back from an early 14-point deficit and showing steely nerves in the face of the Bolts' own rally at the finish.
Harris scored 11 of his 27 points in the last eight minutes, leading the way as the Aces eventually finished off the Bolts in four games in the best-of-five series.
Dashing Meralco's hopes for a third straight Governors Cup finals, Alaska instead set up a first championship showdown with Magnolia in eight years.
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It's actually the eighth title duel between the two teams but first since the Ryan Gregorio-mentored Purefoods team beat Alaska in the 2010 Philippine Cup best-of-seven series that went the full distance.
"It's gonna be a battle, an absolute battle," said Compton of their battle with coach Chito Victolero and his Magnolia troops.
"They're playing well right now. Meralco was playing good but they had a lot of injured players. Magnolia is playing well; everybody's clicking. They have a great coach and they have great players," Compton added.
Harris made things happen at the finish but deflected the credit to their reserves who sparked the rally for the team from an early 14-point deficit.
Casio, Manuel, Teng and Kevin Racal all produced double-digit outputs for the Aces who reached the PBA Finals for the fifth time in four years.
Runners-up on four previous finals under Compton, the Aces hope to finally pull through for a first title since their Commissioner's Cup title run under coach Luigi Trillo in 2013. (SB)
The scores:
Alaska 99 - Harris 27, Casio 14, Racal 10, Teng 10, Manuel 10, Banchero 9, Enciso 7, Thoss 4, Baclao 4, Pascual 4, Exciminiano 0, Potts 0.
Meralco 92 - Durham 31, Hugnatan 13, Newsome 12, Salva 10, Amer 10, Caram 7, Lanete 7, Hodge 2, Faundo 0, Dillinger 0, Canaleta 0, Tolomia 0.
Quarters: 21-28, 47-48, 68-60, 99-92
