PBA: Aces whitewash Elasto Painters despite Crews' 34

(Updated 8:16 p.m.) The Alaska Aces held the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters to just a single field goal in the final four minutes and hacked out a 109-102 win, its first in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Araneta Coliseum, Sunday night. The Aces went on a closing 9-1 run to seal the victory that came two days after being whipped by the Barako Bull Energy, 98-78, in the opener of the import-laden conference.              Cyrus Baguio, who top-scored for Alaska with 25 points, sparked that crucial blast with a huge three-pointer as the Aces seized back the lead, 97-96.              L.A Tenorio then followed it up with a two-pointer, Bonbon Custodio knocked in two free throws, and Tenorio capped it with another pair of freebies to make it 105-98 with 43 seconds left. The Elasto Painters went cold during that stretch and failed to make a field goal. They eventually scored one courtesy of import Duke Crews, but the make came rather late as the outcome of the game had already been settled, 107-102, with 14 seconds to go.  “Tonight, the boys proved to themselves that if they wanted to make stops, they can make stops. Tonight, the boys proved to themselves that if they wanted to win, they can win,” said Alaska coach Joel Banal. Import Adam Parada was again an imposing presence for the Aces on both ends of the floor with 24 points and 20 rebounds. But Crews was not bad either for the Elasto Painters. He finished with 34 points on 10-of-21 shooting and his jumper put Rain or Shine on top for the last time, 97-96, before the Aces came through with their finishing kick.              Jeff Chan added 18 points, while rookie Paul Lee contributed 11 points for the conference debut of Rain or Shine. - AMD, GMA News   The scores: Alaska (109) -- Baguio 25, Parada 24, Tenorio 19, Custodio 12, Thoss 8, Salamat 7, Eman 6, Baracael 4, Reyes 4.              Rain or Shine (102) -- Crews 34, Chan 18, Lee 11, Cruz 8, Arana 8, Norwood 6, Belga 6, Quinahan 4, Buenafe 3, Jaime 2, Ibanes 2, Matias 0.      Quarterscores: 28-20, 55-49, 85-74, 109-102.