Free throws help Burger King kick out Alaska in Fiesta Cup

MANILA, Philippines – Arwind Santos had an off-night but scored the free throws that mattered in a 96-90 Burger King win that formally booted out Alaska in the Motolite-PBA Fiesta Cup. Santos, a key player for the Powerade Team Pilipinas, finished with only four points on 1-of-11 field goal shooting. His two free throws in the final 18 seconds, however, gave the Whoppers the breathing room they needed and kept a rallying Aces five at bay, 94-90. Following the big win, Burger King now advances to the best-of-three quarterfinals where it faces the winner of the knockout match between Coca-Cola and Sta. Lucia on Friday at the Araneta Coliseum. Shawn Daniels had a double-double of 20 points and 23 rebounds for the Whoppers, while scoring the marginal free throws in the final six seconds. “Arwind didn’t play well this game, but it’s good our team has guys who can step up," said coach Yeng Guiao, obviously referring to role players JR Quiñahan, Aaron Aban and Beau Belga, all of whom finished in double figures. “We’ll watch the SLR-Coke game, rest a bit and focus on the quarterfinals." Joe De Vance had 23 points to pace the Aces, runner-up to Talk ‘N Text in the last Philippine Cup. His driving lay up with 23 seconds left had Alaska coming to within 90-92 after trailing by as many as 19 points in the third period, before Santos delivered those two crucial free throws. – GMANews.TV