Game on Dec. 5
(Mall of Asia Arena)
7 p.m. – Magnolia vs Alaska
Mike Harris delivered big baskets yet again while getting help from the locals as Alaska earned the right to face Magnolia in the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals by finishing off Meralco, 99-92, last night in the fourth game of their best-of-five semifinal series at the Cuneta Astrodome.
Harris scored 12 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter to create separation while getting ample support from the likes of Jvee Casio, Vic Manuel, Kevin Racal, Jeron Teng and Chris Banchero to secure a 3-1 series win and the Aces’ first finals berth since the 2016 Commissioner’s Cup.
An ecstatic coach Alex Compton marched his way to a fifth appearance in the PBA’s biggest stage where he will try to finally score a breakthrough championship against Magnolia in a best-of-seven title showdown which starts on Dec. 5 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Magnolia made it first to the championship round after a hard-fought semis triumph over deposed champion Barangay Ginebra San Miguel the other night in Antipolo City.
“I’m so proud of our guys,” Compton said. “We’re not perfect but we play hard.”
The two teams will have plenty of time to recharge their batteries as the league will take a long break to give way for Gilas Pilipinas’ upcoming campaign in the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers.
It will the first time that Magnolia and Alaska face off in the finals since the 2010 Philippine Cup when the then-Purefoods TJ Giants swept the Aces in four games.
Harris also had 14 rebounds in 35 minutes, showing why he ended the eliminations as the frontrunner for the Best Import award.
His three-pointer with over six minutes left gave the Aces the lead for good at 76-73, before scoring five of the team’s next eight points, ending on another triple for 84-76, still over four minutes remaining.
Allen Durham, who figured Harris’ into a mano-a-mano battle since the start of the series, gave Meralco some life when his layup cut Alaska’s lead to 90-87 entering the final minute.
But Harris, Racal and Simon Enciso hit six consecutive free throws while Meralco kept missing shots to put Alaska ahead, 96-87, that virtually assured its trip to the finals.
Casio had 14 points, Racal, Manuel and Teng scored 10 apiece and Banchero and Enciso combined for 16 points for the Aces.
Durham finished with 31 points and 14 rebounds but the dream run of the Bolts came to an end after overcoming a 1-6 start to reach the semis by way of six consecutive do-or-die victories.
Meralco took the opening game, 97-92, on Sunday before Alaska bounced back by taking the next three. (Jonas Terrado)
The scores:
Alaska 99 – Harris 27, Casio 14, Racal 10, Teng 10, Manuel 10, Banchero 9, Enciso 7, Thoss 4, Baclao 4, Pascual 4, Exciminiano 0, Potts 0.
Meralco 92 – Durham 31, Hugnatan 13, Newsome 12, Salva 10, Amer 10, Caram 7, Lanete 7, Hodge 2, Faundo 0, Dillinger 0, Canaleta 0, Tolomia 0.
Quarters: 21-28, 47-48, 68-60, 99-92