Manuel hits buzzer-beater as Alaska keeps San Miguel winless

Vic Manuel flipped up a high looper just before the buzzer to give the Alaska Aces a 105-103 victory over the San Miguel Beermen in Dumaguete City.

Manuel came off the bench for 23 big points, including the game-winner that sent the Dumaguete crowd into a frenzy. Jayvee Casio led the starters with 18 points, while Chris Banchero scored 15. Calvin Abueva and Antonio Campbell chipped in 13 points apiece.

The Aces never let San MIguel take the lead the entire game, burying the Beermen in 22 markers at one point.

A Renaldo Balkman split tied the game for the Beermen at the 1:17 mark, but Jayvee Casio followed up a Vic Manuel miss at the other end to give the Beermen the lead anew.

Off a timeout, San Miguel went to Balkman for the quick hit, forcing the Aces to call for a break. Alaska had two chances to get the go-ahead basket, but Antonio Campbell and Manuel both missed their mark.

It was then San Miguel’s turn to drain the clock and surge ahead, but Campbell completed a steal off Balkman.

With 19 seconds to win the game, Chris Banchero drained the clock and went left off a Manuel pick. With no options, Banchero dished to his big man at the top of the key, and Manuel delivered on a floater just before the final buzzer.

Renaldo Balkman carried the Beermen with 32 points and 13 rebounds, while Marcio Lassiter dropped 20. No other starter scored in double figures, though, with June Mar Fajardo and Alex Cabagnot combining for just 11 points, while Chris Ross was held scoreless.

With the win, Alaska earned a share of the lead at 4-1, tying Rain or Shine and TNT. San Miguel, meanwhile, dropped to 0-3, just ahead of Blackwater (0-6). — DVM, GMA News