Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The Aces are going back to the finals.
Alaska defeated the Meralco Bolts, 76-70, in Game 5 of their Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup semifinals series on Wednesday (May 4) at the SMART-Araneta Colisem to advance to the finals to face Rain or Shine.
Calvin Abueva led the charge for the Aces with 19 points, on 7-of-13 shooting, and eight rebounds. Chris Banchero came off the pine to produce 18 markers.
Alaska import Rob Dozier had a double-double with 14 points and 18 rebounds.
Meralco held a two-point lead at the half, before Alaska outscored them in the third quarter, 19-11, to go up by six heading into the fourth period. A three-point play from Jared Dillinger put the Bolts up one, 67-66, with 3:00 remaining in the game.
But Alaska staged an 8-0 run in the closing minute to steal the game from Meralco.
Dillinger paced the Bolts with 18 points, while their import Arinze Onuaku had 15 points and 18 rebounds.
The scores:
ALASKA 76 – Abueva 19, Banchero 18, Dozier 14, Jazul 9, Thoss 8, Baclao 5, Hontiveros 3, Baguio 0, Dela Cruz 0, Exciminiano 0.
MERALCO 70 – Dillinger 18, Onuaku 15, Amer 12, Hodge 9, Caram 6, Faundo 4, Hugnatan 4, Newsome 2, Alapag 0, Bono 0, Buenafe Ry 0.
Quarters: 22-22, 37-39, 56-50, 76-70
