Thursday, January 15, 2009 Aces take 1-0 lead in PBA semifinals
MANILA - The Alaska Aces took advantage of a long rest by playing a more aggressive game to fashion a 92-76 win over Sta. Lucia Realty in Game 1 of the best-of-seven semifinal series at the Araneta Coliseum yesterday.
The Aces held the defending titlist scoreless for more than four minutes midway in the fourth quarter en route to taking a 1-0 lead in the long series.
“We had 16 turnovers in the first half and our defense was loose. Good that we recovered. We won Game 1 today but we have a good memory of last year. That’s why we have to continue playing well throughout the series,” said Cone.
Alaska, the third-best team in the league with 11 titles, even stretched the gap to 16 points, 90-74, in the last minute of the final period.
“With many turnovers, I told the team, we can’t win in a game like this. And it was good Willie (Miller)stepped up and it made his teammates improve in the second half,” he said.
The 6-foot-7 Joe Devance topscored for the Aces with 17 points, two rebounds and two blocks, while Miller added 14 on top of 10 rebounds and eight assists.
Sonny Thoss contributed 12, six rebounds, two steals and two blocks, while LA Tenorio and Tony de la Cruz finished with 10 points each.
“Mark Borboran played well also out there. We came in the series trying to figure out Mark. And Tony de la Cruz had a good time to rest with Borboran around,” said Cone.
The 6-foot-6 Fil-Am Kelly Williams led the Realtors with 18 points and eight rebounds and three assists, Joseph Yeo settled with 14 and Ryan Reyes made 10 points.
Passing through the rigors of quarterfinals practically slowed the Realtors as they shot a low 35.9 percent from the field goal compared to the Aces’ 52.2.
But what was surprising was the Aces’ 52 rebounds to only 35 for Sta. Lucia, which has reliable twin towers 6-foot-9 Marlou Aquino and 6-foot-6 Dennis Espino. (FCC)
