THE Alaska Aces hung tough down the stretch to nip the previously unbeaten Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 89-88, in the PBA Philippine Cup on Thursday night, October 22, 2020, at the AUF Sports Arena & Cultural Center in Pampanga.
It was a close game all throughout before Alaska wingman Robbie Herndon canned a three while forward Vic Manuel sank a floater to give the Aces an 85-80 lead with 1:43 remaining.
Javee Mocon brought Rain or Shine to within two with a triple but Manuel responded with a fadeaway jumper and a free-throw to give Alaska a five-point cushion, 88-83, time down to just 48 seconds.
Rain or Shine guard Rey Nambatac swished in a triple to cut Alaska's lead down to two but Manuel fished another foul and split his free-throws for an 89-86 lead with just 13 seconds left in the ballgame. Off their final timeout, Elasto Painters big man Beau Belga snuck in a layup and then, Rain or Shine forced a turnover on Alaska's inbound to regain possession.
Nambatac had a shot to win the game as he drove into the teeth of Alaska's defense but his layup missed as time expired to give the Aces the thrilling victory that bolstered their win-loss record to 3-2.
Manuel led Alaska with 18 points and seven rebounds, while Jeron Teng had 13 markers and eight assists. Cebuano forward Kevin Eboña had another productive outing, tallying 10 points and five rebounds.
Rain or Shine's loss dropped them to 3-1. (JNP)