Talk 'N Text beats Alaska, 107-104

The Talk 'N Text Phone Pals inch closer to its first title in the last four years after defeating late Sunday night the Alaska Aces, 107-104, in a tightly fought contest in Game 5 of the 2007 Talk 'N Text-PBA Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum. Forward Jay Washington, who was a non factor in Talk 'N Text last four games, came alive this time as he scored 15 points, four rebounds, two assists and one steal in 22 minutes of action off the bench, as he was named best player for the game. Washington was ably supported by import JJ Sullinger and Mac-Mac Cardona, who scored a combined 44 points for the Pals. The Aces, meanwhile, was led by its import Rosell Ellis who scored a game high 28 points, 16 rebounds, five assists and two steals, in 44 minutes of action. Alaska point-guard Mike Cortez and big-man Sonny Thoss, also contributed big for the Aces with 18 and 16 points, respectively. After a big game in Game 4, 2006-2007 MVP Willie Miller was completely out of his element this time after he only managed to score a measly six points for his team. The Pals' victory puts them one step closer to the PBA championship as they are now ahead 3-2 in their championship duel against the Aces. Game 6 will also be played on Wednesday at the Big Dome. Alaska was ahead by four points, 97-93, after a basket by Thoss with still 3:33 left in the game when the Pals' came alive with a 10-2 run to take a four point lead, 103-99, with 1:10 left in the game. Reynel Hugnatan, who scored 12 points for his team, then converted on his two free throws after a foul by the Pals' to cut the lead to two, 103-101, 56 seconds left. After a timeout by Talk 'N Text coach Derrick Pumaren, Sullinger missed on his off-balance jump shot from 20 feet, with the Aces grabbing the defensive board. Cortez, who brilliantly orchestrated the Aces plays for most part of the game, could have tied the game when he drove to the basket, but he lost the ball. Cardona was able to collar the loose ball and was fouled by the Aces in the process with 9.6 seconds left. The ex-La Salle star calmly sank his two freebies to give his team a comfortable four point lead, 105-101. Cone immediately called a time-out in a last ditch effort to either tie of steal the ball game. Cortez, making-up from his earlier blunder, then converted on his three-point shot, closing the gap at 105-104, six seconds left. However, Harvey Carey, who scored 15 points for the game, easily scored on a fastbreak lay-up after an imbounds pass as Alaska failed to defensively check him. Cone called his last time-out with three seconds left to devise a play where they could launch a three-point shot that could tie the ball game. But Dale Singson's desperate three-point shot from the left-corner after a pass by Cortez failed to hit the target, giving the victory to the Pals. Talk 'N Text led at the half, 54-45. A crowd of 11,097 watched the game, the biggest so far in the best-of-seven series. The scores: Talk 'N Text - Sullinger 24, Cardona, 20, Washington, 15, Carey 15, Allado 13, Belano 12, Ocampo 5 Billiones, 3, Fran 0, Pablo 0, Alaska - Ellis 28, Cortez, 18, Thoss 16, Hugnatan 12, Belasco, 12, Ferriols 6, Miller 6, Laure 4 Bajar 2, Singson 0 Quarter scores 31-25, 54-45, 79-72, 107-104