MANILA, Philippines - Alaska Milk lost import LD Williams due to a flagrant foul just four minutes into the game but still won an incredible 104-101 overtime victory over Meralco last night in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Aces wiped out an 11-point deficit in the last three minutes of regulation then roared in the extra period to steal the game and enhance their playoff bid with a 5-2 win-loss record.
LA Tenorio put in a career-high 33 points, all in the second half, while Cyrus Baguio and Joe Devance also came through with big numbers as they carried the Aces to the mind-boggling win.
“It’s so unusual. It’s one of the more memorable ones that happened to us,” said Alaska coach Tim Cone.
“I think it’s easier to play knowing that you don’t have an import because you can prepare for that. Losing an import is much harder. I was ready to concede but the players were ready to battle and they did,” Cone said.
Despite the win, Cone didn’t hide his disappointment over the referees for throwing out Williams on technicality at the onset of the contest.
“I can’t see why he (Williams) should be called a flagrant foul and thrown out of the game. His eyes were closed. He didn’t hit anybody intentionally. He was just protecting the ball after his eyes got poked,” said Cone.
Williams incurred a flagrant infraction and was ejected from the game as he hit Macmac Cardona with his left elbow in the head while trying to keep possession.
The “F2” call also merits an automatic summon from commissioner Chito Salud. The Alaska import now faces a possible suspension plus fine.
Cone said they would appeal Williams’ case.
“It would be unfair to suspend him. An import has to make something dastardly to be suspended. That could change the whole conference for a team in this tourney. It would be fine if it’s an 18-game elimination round but not in nine games with only six teams making the playoffs,” said Cone.
“Imports in an import-laden conference must be given some leeway, not thrown out on technicality,” Cone said.
The B-Boys blew what had seemed to be a won game and slid to joint ninth with the Powerade Tigers at 2-5. They must win their two remaining games to get a chance at making the quarterfinals.
So amazing were the Aces that they even got a chance to win it right in regulation.
The Aces held the B-Boys scoreless in the last 3:08 of play, erasing an 11-point deficit, 83-94, on key baskets by Sam Eman, Tenorio and Baguio.
Talk n Text formalized its entry into the playoffs as it continued to get going, nailing sixth straight win with a 117-93 whipping of the struggling San Miguel Beer team in the nightcap.
“Having made the Top Six, of course the next target is to be the No. 1 or No. 2 for an outright semis seat. But we’ll not think about that. We’ll just try to find a way to continue playing hard,” said Talk n Text coach Chot Reyes.
Baguio got the opportunity to win it for Alaska when he was fouled by former teammate Reynel Hugnatan on a follow-up shot with only three-tenths of a second left to play.
The flamboyant guard-forward made his first free throw to tie it at 94 but missed what could have been the game-winning charity.
The Aces, however, sustained the momentum of their fierce rally in overtime with Devance and Tony dela Cruz taking over and hitting the big shots.
Devance, who wasn’t supposed to play with a sprained ankle, pumped in six of his 19 points in extension. He also got eight rebounds, eight assists and three blocks.
“Joe wasn’t supposed to play today; not at all. His ankle still looked like having a tennis ball,” said Cone.
Nelson Beltran, Philippine Star
