Aces, Bulls take openers

Aces, Bulls take openers

By: Zean Macamay

Alex Cabagnot of Coca Cola goes up for a layup off Mike Cortez of Alaska during their teams’ quarterfinal round game last night in the PBA Philippine Cup. The Aces won, 89-82. (Raul Guerrero, PJ) Games tomorrow: (Cuneta Astrodome) 4:50 p.m. -- Red Bull vs Magnolia 7:20 p.m. -- Coca-Cola vs Alaska WILLIE Miller scored five of Alaska ’s last six points and Reynel Hugnatan had seven in the final period, and the Aces survived a monster game from Asi Taulava to beat Coca-Cola, 89-82, and move to within a win of clinching a semifinals berth last night in the Smart-PBA Philippine Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome. The reigning MVP did most of his damage in the final 2:56, coming through with a basket on a slashing move before completely throwing the Tigers off course with a triple in the last 1:35 as Alaska took an 88-81 lead Coca-Cola was never able to overcome. “We just kept on pushing them, and pushing them, and pushing them. Eventually, it went into the way we liked. Asi (Taulava) got cramps, (Mark) Telan was a little tired,” said Alaska coach Tim Cone. Taulava played like an import in trying to lead Coca-Cola to its fourth straight win and a victory in Game One of the best-of-three quarterfinals series. He scattered 22 points, pulled down 25 rebounds in 41 minutes of banging action for his 15th double-double of the conference and his second 20-20 game. But the 2003 MVP who was stunningly traded by Talk ‘N Text couldn’t take the Tigers all the way to the win, suffering cramps in the waning moments after a rebound battle. He came back a few seconds after, but the outcome was already not in doubt. “We tried to limit him (Taulava) to just 18 points and 12 rebounds,” said Cone. “You can’t stop him, you can only limit him. The good thing is we have at least three men to throw at him.” The Aces can wrap up the series tomorrow with another win, and will move on to face Sta. Lucia in the best-of-seven semifinals. As of press time, Red Bull and Magnolia were playing Game One of their own quarterfinals series. Shooting 9-of-17 from the field, Miller ended up with 23 points and dished off seven assists, while Hugnatan finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds for the Aces, who stretched their winning streak to four games after closing out the eliminations with three straight. In the nightcap, Mike Hrabak and Mick Pennisi drained consecutive three-pointers to shatter the game's last deadlock en route to a 107-104 victory over the Magnolia Beverage Masters. With the shot clock winding down, Hrabak drilled in his sixth trey for a 101-98 lead, 1:01 to play. It was the third howitzer in the game made by Hrabak that beat the shot clock buzzer, capping his best game in the tournament so far. He finished with a personal conference-high 21 points and four blocks. After a turnover by the Beverage Masters, Pennisi buried his own trey for a more comfortable 104-98 lead, 36 seconds to go. The Bulls needed that cushion in the endgame. Lordy Tugade, a former Red Bull star, canned two triples in the dying seconds to keep the Beverage Masters kicking. Three misses by the Bulls from the line made it interesting and the game wasn't decided until a potential game-tying trey by the Beverage Masters just grazed the front of the ring. The Bulls would try to close their best-of-three quarterfinal series tomorrow and arrange a semifinal showdown with the Purefoods TJ Giants. With Noli Cruz The scores Alaska (89)-- Miller 23, Hugnatan 17, Ferriols 11, Cortez 11, Cariaso 10, Thoss 8, De La Cruz 7, Quinahan 2, Bono 0, Aban 0, Cabatu 0. Coca-Cola (82) -- Taulava 22, Telan 13, Calimag 12, Cabagnot 9, Tolomia 6, Buenafe 5, Dimaunahan 5, Arigo 4, Enrile 2, Isip 2, Misolas 2. Quarterscores: 21-21; 41-48; 69-64; 89-82. Source: http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php?issue=2008-01-24&sec=7&aid=47061