ALASKA expected Terrafirma to come out and play like the desperate team that it is.
Good thing Vic Manuel and the rest of the Aces got their acts together in the nick of time to edge out the Dyip 99-96 last night in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart 5G-powered AUF Sports Arena.
Manuel scored eight of his team-high 18 points in the final canto, keeping Alaska in step with the equally determined Terrafirma crew.
Jayvee Casio then took over, scoring on a drive that finally pushed the Aces ahead 97-96 before Maverick Ahanmisi and Jesper Ayaay canned a charity each in the final eight seconds.
Alaska’s fourth win in seven games was only realized, however, when Eric Camson’s three-point try rimmed out just before the final buzzer.
“Slowly but surely we’re staying consistent,” Alaska coach Jeffrey Cariaso said after team weathered a ferocious start by Terrafirma that gave the Dyip as much as a 14-point lead in the second period.
“We discussed that, we discussed that this team is due for a win and we were hoping it doesn’t happen against us,” admitted Cariaso. — Noli Cortez
