SMART CLARK GIGA CITY - Terrafirma came close to finally pulling off a win Tuesday night only to throw bricks at the finish.
And the Alaska Milk Aces simply pounced on the Dyip's woeful windup, eking out a 99-96 decision as they once again went above the .500 mark in the PBA Philippine Cup bubble play at the Smart 5G-powered AUF Sports Arena.
The Aces played with poise and composure in the homestretch that the Dyip just couldn't match and, thus, notched a fourth win against three defeats.
Jvee Casio scored the go-ahead basket on a layup then Maverick Ahanmisi and Jesper Ayaay drained a free throw each as the Aces bounced back from a loss to the San Miguel Beer the last time out.
Meanwhile, the Dyip went scoreless in the last 2:37 of play, muffing five field-goal attempts and thus squandering a chance at ending a dry spell in the tourney.
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They remained the lone winless team at 0-5 halfway through the short elims.
Facing the Terrafirma team already in danger of elimination, the Aces expected a tough, tough challenge.
Proving to be a big key was staying calm and patience.
"They (the Dyip) were aggressive and set the tone in the first half. I'm just happy how our guys made the adjustments and how they executed," said Alaska coach Jeffrey Cariaso.
"First half ang lambot ng depensa namin. Sa dugout (at the half), kailangan pang may magalit. Nag-respond naman ang team at nagtrabaho sa depensa," said Vic Manuel, top scoring for the Aces with 18 points off the bench.
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Rob Herndon (with 12 points, four rebounds and one assist) also had a solid outing as a reliever while starting big forward Abu Tratter collected double-double numbers with 10 markers and 11 boards and guards Casio and Mike Digregorio chipped in 11 points apiece.
Once they worked harder on the defensive end, the Aces limited the Dyip to single possessions and went on to win the rebounding battle at 55-45.
"We wanna make sure to outrebound our opponents. Sometimes, that wouldn't happen. Tonight, rebounding was a big part in our win," said Cariaso.
Beaten off the boards, the Dyip used outside shooting to compete.
Juami Tiongson knocked in six three-pointers while Aldrech Ramos, Eric Camson, Rashawn McCarthy, Roosevelt Adams and CJ Perez combined for nine.
They had their last taste of the lead at 96-95 as Camson fired his last of three triples with time down to 2:37.
But then the Dyip suddenly blew ice cold. (SB)
The scores:
Alaska 99 - Manuel 18, Herndon 12, Digregorio 11, Casio 11, Tratter 10, Gallieguez 9, Ahanmisi 8, Ayaay 8, Teng 7, Ebona 5, Marcelino 0, Publico 0, Andrada 0, Brondial 0.
Terrafirma 96 - Perez 25, Tiongson 21, Adams 11, Camson 11, Ramos 10, McCarthy 8, Calvo 4, Gabayni 4, Faundo 2, Cahilig 0, Khobuntin 0, Agovida 0, Batiller 0, Balagasay 0, Celda 0.
Quarters:19-28, 45-52, 79-79, 99-96.
