Aces beat Tigers, 89-82, in PBA quarterfinals

The Alaska Aces drew on their play-off experience to the hilt to subdue Wednesday night a fighting Coca-Cola Tigers, 89-82, in Game 1 of their best-of-three quarterfinal series of the 2007-08 Smart PBA-Philippine Cup the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City. The back court duo of former two-time PBA MVP Willie Miller and Mike Cortez came through for the Aces especially in the fourth quarter when thy blocked any efforts by the Tigers to steal Game 1 of the series. Miller eventually finished with a game-high 23 points, including a lay-up and three-pointer, in the final 1:34 that broke the spines of the Tigers. The Olongapo City-born Miller also had seven assists and two steals for the Aces, who outscored D, 48-34, in the second half. Cortez also had a decent game especially in orchestrating the Aces' plays down the stretch, finishing the game with 10 points. The Aces also got big contributions from Reynel Hugnatan (17 points, 10 rebounds), John Ferriols (11 points, eight rebounds), Jeffrey Cariaso (10 points), and Sonny Thoss (11 rebounds). Alaska's fourth consecutive win snapped Coca-Cola's improbable run to the playoffs and spoiled another incredible effort by Asi Taulava. The 6-foot-9 center tallied 22 points and cornered 25 rebounds for his 15th double-double and second 20-20 game of the conference. But the toil of playing 41 minutes took its toll on Coke's big fellow, who experience leg cramps in the final 2:07 with the Tigers down 81-85. Mark Telan, the other half of Coke's mean machine, managed just 13 points and showed signs of fatigue in the fourth quarter, goingscoreless, his energy visibly zapped. Ricky Calimag scored 12 but only had four in the second half. No other Tiger manage to score in double digits. "We might have won Game 1, but this series is certainly no slam dunk for us," Alaska coach Tim Cone said. "Coke is so good and dangerous when their backs are against the wall. So we got to be ready on Friday." Alaska can advance to the best-of-seven semifinals against No. 2-ranked Sta. Lucia with another victory in Game 2 scheduled at 7:20 p.m. on Friday also at the Cuneta Astrodome. Coca-Cola, which ended a three-game winning streak, shot just 32 percent from the field in the second half and had 14 turnovers compared to a 43 percent shooting in the first half and only 10 turnovers. Scores Alaska (89): Miller 23, Hugnatan 17, Ferriols 11, Cortez 11, Cariaso 10, Thoss 8, Dela Cruz 7, Quinahan 2, Bono 0, Aban 0, Cabatu 0. Coca-Cola (82): -- Taulava 22, Telan 13, Calimag 12, Cabagnot 9, Tolomia 6, Buenafe 5, Dimaunahan 5, Arigo 4, Enrile 2, Isip 2, Misolas 2. Quarters: 21-21; 41-48; 69-64; 89-82

- GMANews.TV