Saturday, July 07, 2007 Alaska crawls back to take lead in series against Phone Pals
THE Alaska Aces recovered from a 17-point deficit in the opening quarter to post a commanding 113-85 victory over the Talk N’ Text Phone Pals yesterday in Game 1 of their 2007 Talk N’ Text-PBA Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Aces relied on the troika of Mike Cortez, Willie Miller and import Rossel Ellis in posting the huge victory that gave them a 1-0 series edge over the Phone Pals.
Cortez continued his amazing game after recovering from an ACL injury as the “Cool Cat” powered the Aces’ run that reversed the momentum of the game to finish with 20 points, five rebounds and two steals and grab the Best Player of the Game award.
Ellis also had an excellent scoring night for the boys of Alaska coach Tim Cone as the import logged in a triple-double performance of 20 markers, 13 boards and 10 assists, while Miller registered 22 baskets and carted down four boards.
The Phone Pals controlled the tempo of the game in the opening period as they posted a 28-16 edge behind the leadership of import JJ Sullinger and Mac-mac Cardona.
The lead later ballooned to 17 points for the Phone Pals in the upper half of the second canto before the Aces unleashed a searing rally to overtake the Phone Pals, 45-44, at the bend.
From then on, the Aces never looked back as they continued to pummel the Phone Pals in the next two quarters to register the lopsided win.
In the opening game, the Red Bull Barakos snatched the third place trophy after beating the San Miguel Beermen, 103-96. (JSV)
