HELD to just six points on a 3-of-9 shooting from the field in the first three quarters of the game, Willie Miller finally got his game going in the last 12 minutes of play as the Alaska Aces weathered a belated rally by the Coca-Cola Tigers for a 106-100 victory yesterday at the Araneta Coliseum.
The 2002 MVP had 13 of his team-high 19 points in the final period, including a huge three-pointer which he followed with a tough running shot off Will Antonio as the Aces, who saw their lead cut down to 90-94 with 3:19 remaining, stretched the lead to 99-90 and ensured their fourth win in five games in the Talk ‘N Text-PBA Fiesta Conference.
Miller got a lot of help from import Rosell Ellis, who did a little of everything in the fourth quarter including a splendid job on defense, never losing his sight of Anthony Johnson— the do-it-all import of the Tigers, who still got away with 32 points despite shooting 10-of-26 from the field.
The acknowledged Alaska team leader scored 18 points, six of them in the fourth quarter when the Tigers threatened to turn the game around.
“We always have a tough battle with Coke. We had a great first half but they came back strong in the second half … tit-for-tat. We’re just lucky to be able to hold on at the end,” offered Alaska coach Tim Cone.
“This is our best start in a long while. And Rosell being with us has really made a big impact. Hopefully we could keep it going,” he added.
Before going about their game, Cone took time to share to the media how much he respected the late commissioner Jun Bernardino, who passed away Saturday due to cardiac arrest. (PBA Media Bureau)
