JVee Casio’s first career triple-double did not go for naught as the Calvin Abueva-less Alaska Aces survived the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in a tightly-contested affair, 99-95, Friday evening at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The seven-year pro collected 22 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists. Casio achieved the feat with just 14.3 seconds left to play, when he hauled down James Yap’s potential lead-stealing three-pointer from the left wing.
“Wow, that’s good coaching!” Alaska head coach Alex Compton said in jest. “Well, JVee’s our leader, and we needed this game. We’re missing Calvin, Carl Cruz, and Chris Banchero, so… We all know JVee’s special.”
The Milkmen have actually earned a pivotal victory aside from improving their card to 7-4, as San Miguel Beermen has now earned a twice-to-beat advantage. Alaska, on the other hand, is assured of a best-of-three quarterfinal series.
The Aces have already led by eight in the payoff period, but the Elasto Painters raced back. They tied it at 90 at first, and eventually took the driver’s seat away from the opposition, 95-94, after James Yap’s one-hander with 1:28 to go.
However, Vic Manuel nailed a jump hook on the other end with 38.9 seconds remaining. And that spelled the end for Rain or Shine, as Yap’s three-pointer that could have given the E-Painters the lead again trickled in and out of the rim.
Casio’s freebies with 11 ticks left widened Alaska’s gap, 98-95. RoS had one last chance to tie the game once more, but Mark Borboran’s own triple from the right wing with six seconds left only met the rim’s back iron.
Kevin Racal’s split from the stripe with three seconds left sealed it for the Aces.
“What a game. What a game. Awesome game, playoff basketball,” added Compton, as the game saw 33 lead changes. “I just really appreciate the efforts of our guys to weather the storm and keep coming.”
Aside from Casio, six more Aces scored in double figures. Jeron Teng and Marion Magat had 14 points apiece; Racal had 13; Manuel made 12; and Simon Enciso and Sonny Thoss scored 10 each, with the latter adding 10 rebounds.
Maverick Ahanmisi led RoS with 23 points — 15 in the final period — alongside five rebounds, five assists, and five steals. Yap had 17 points and six boards, Ed Daquioag made 14 markers, and Raymond Almazan made 12 and nine.
With the loss, Rain or Shine has dropped to 5-4. And if they want to achieve a good spot for the 2018 Philippine Cup playoffs, they have to win their last two matches against San Miguel and Barangay Ginebra next week.
The Scores:
Alaska 99 – Casio 22, Teng 14, Magat 14, Racal 13, Manuel 12, Thoss 10, Enciso 10, Baclao 2, Exciminiano 2, J. Pascual 0, R.Pascual 0, Galliguez 0, Potts 0
Rain or Shine 95 – Ahanmisi 23, Yap 17, Daquioag 14, Almazan 12, Belga 11, Nambatac 9, Borboran 5, Ponferada 4, Trollano 0, King 0, Onwubere 0
Quarterscores: 26-23, 44-43, 72-71, 99-95
