Aces nip Beermen anew, move 2 up in PBA title series

These Alaska Aces just continue to amaze even the cynics the way they’ve been playing in the PBA Fiesta Cup. For the second straight game, Diamon Simpson came through with a brilliant double-double, from which, the Aces leaned on for another stunning win over San Miguel, 94-90, and a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven Finals Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.

Simpson had a team-high 29 points and snared 17 rebounds when he fouled out with 29 seconds left in the grind-it-out Game 2. But he scored four straight from the foul line before finally calling it a night that put the Aces on top, 91-88. Overall, he finished 12-of-14 from the 15-foot line and scored 18 of his total output in the second half. “We’re a great team and I know we can do it even without me on the court," said the lanky, 22-year old import. Alaska’s latest victory stretched its winning run to four, counting the last two games of its semifinals encounter with Talk `N Text. The Aces hope to carry the momentum of the streak into Game 3 Wednesday also at the Big Dome. “We didn’t expect this (2-0 lead)," said Alaska coach Tm Cone later. “The game was high quality. We did a great job of not panicking. We didn’t buckle under their great shot-making." It was the Beermen who crumbled under pressure. The defending champions were within 90-91 on two free throws by Gabe Freeman when Simpson fouled out, but failed to capitalize after throwing away their final two plays. After charities by Tony De La Cruz made it 93-90, San Miguel turned the ball over after Joe DeVance deflected a Jay Washington pass. The stop resulted to a split from the foul line by Cyrus Baguio, 94-90, before the Beermen finally threw the white towel after Joseph Yeo’s desperation three-point attempt failed to even hit the rim. “I’ve lost 2-0 leads, I’ve lost 3-1 leads, I’ve lost leads you can possibly imagine," said Cone, aware that at least six teams in 35 occasions were able to hurdle and win a series even when down 0-2. “We’ve got to come out with a lot of energy and be aggressive in Game Three." De Vance had 14 points, while Baguio and Dela Cruz contributed 12 each. L.A Tenorio added six points, despite playing with a bum stomach and a high fever. The Beermen got 20 points from Yeo, Arwind Santos and Washington, with the former shooting 6-of-9 from the three-point range. But Freeman was held down to just 13 points, this time on 4-of-13 shooting from the field, two nights after pouring in a game-high 37 markers. - RCJ, GMANews.TV