Aces edge Kings anew, move a win away from PBA semis

Alaska went to Joe DeVance when the going got tough, and then watched Sunday Salvacion botched a game-winning three-pointer as the Aces escaped with a gripping 84-82 win over Barangay Ginebra and moved on the threshold of advancing to the semifinals of the PBA Fiesta Cup. Twice scoring off an assist by L.A. Tenorio, DeVance accounted for the Aces’ last six points underneath the basket, including one in the final 10.3 seconds that broke an 82-82 contest. The Kings had one final shot at salvaging Game 2 of the quarterfinals series, but Salvacion failed to hit an open three-pointer as the clock was winding down. His shot drifted hard on the backboard before it rimmed out, allowing the Aces to escape with the win, and a 2-0 lead in their best-of-five quarterfinals series, played before a big Sunday crowd at the Astrodome. “LA was more creative. He created a lot of things for us while Joe had good finishes," said Alaska coach Tim Cone, who ran a series of bread-and-butter plays anchored on the two players. “It was one heck of a game. Both teams were not about to give in until the final buzzer sounded, so this win is certainly a proud win for us. The past two games all came down to the last possession and I expect the next three could be either way as well," added Cone. “Still, the idea is to play solid on Wednesday and we hope to close things out." DeVance had 19 points for the Aces, who were led by Simpson’s 30 points and 17 boards. Cyrus Baguio added 16 and Tenorio had 11 assists and seven rebounds. Import Chris Daniels showed the way for the embattled Kings with 19 points and 18 rebounds, but found himself without ample local support. Ronald Tubid was the best local player for the Kings with 14, but he shot a measly 5-of-13 from the field. Eric Menk, who was held scoreless in Game One, ended up with 11. Still, the Kings had their moments, rallying from a 10-point deficit in the first half to take the lead in the final quarter, 78-76, behind a huge three-pointer by Willier Miller. But the Kings committed three turnovers after that, allowing the Aces to regain the upperhand at 80-78. Daniels, then, tied the game at 80, and then again at 82, before Devance came through with that point-blank shot for the game-winning basket. - RCJ, GMANews.TV