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Source: abs-cbnnews.com

-- Alaska banked on the end-game heroics of Willie Miller and LA Tenorio to turn back Talk ‘N Text, 119-113, in overtime Wednesday night in the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

Miller fired 11 of his 22 points in the fourth period while Tenorio chipped in 16 including an alley-hoop shot after an inbound-pass of Tony dela Cruz with 0.5 ticks left that sent the game in extra inning.

The win was fifth in a row for Alaska for a league-best 11-1 win-loss mark while snapping the Tropang Texters’ two-game winning streak, which dropped to 8-5.

“It’s the perseverance and team play,” said Aces head coach Tim Cone, who lauded his second unit for keeping his team in the game as Talk ‘N Text tried to tear them apart as it led by as much as 13, 82-69, with 1:20 left in the third.

“The second group was the key in this game. They kept us in the game because it took a while for the first group to get it going. And Willie is such a great closer while LA played two brilliant overtime games now,” he added.

Reynel Hugnatan had 19 points to lead the second-unit attack of the Aces, who came from a 122-116 overtime win over San Miguel Beer.

Joe Devance chipped in 18 markers while Sonny Thoss and Dela Cruz contributed 11 and 10 points respectively.

It was a sorry loss for Talk ‘N Text, which had the full control of the game despite playing without Jimmy Alapag (pulled left hamstring) and Jared Dillinger (back pains).

With Mark Cardona finally getting his rhythm in the fourth period, the Tropang Texters built a 100-91 lead with 4:48 remaining but the Aces, behind Miller, responded with a 9-3 run to cut the lead to 100-103 with 2:15 left.

But Cardona hit a three-pointer in the next play for a 106-100 advantage, but Alaska scored the next six points to tie the count at 106-all, 27.9 ticks left in regulation.

Cardona again delivered in the ensuing play as he scored on a running hook, 108-106, and after the Aces won the jump ball, Cone sued for a timeout and set the play for Tenorio, who buried the game-tying basket.

In overtime, it was all Alaska as Tenorio and Miller joined hands for an 11-3 exchange to erect a 119-111 lead and then never looked back.

Cardona fired a game-high 31 points on 13-of-20 shooting from the field. Renren Ritualo and Yancy de Ocampo each had 17 markers for coach Chot Reyes.

Harvey Carey finished with 16 points and 14 rebounds while Jason Castro had 15 points and a career-high 13 assists for the Tropang Texters.

Realtors dump Kings

Sta. Lucia Realty needed a strong finish to beat Barangay Ginebra, 93-88, to keep its semifinal bid flickering.

Rookie Josh Urbizton led the Realtors’ balanced attack with 22 points while Joseph Yeo added 17 including a three-pointer that sealed the win for them.

Nelbert Omolon had 14 points and 10 rebounds while Ryan Reyes had 13 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists. Kelly Williams chipped in 13 and career-high 19 rebounds.

“The players just followed the game plan tonight which is to play tough and physical defense and offense will follow,” said Realtors head coach Boyet Fernandez, whose wards improved to 7-5.

They are now just one game behind Talk ‘N Text (8-5), Purefoods (8-5), and the Kings (8-5) for third spot.

Ginebra was still leading at 77-74 when Urbiztondo banged a three-pointer that started a 10-4 run to grab the lead at 84-81, under four minutes left.

Eric Menk hit back-to-back jumpers to give the Kings an 85-84 lead, but Omolon hit a jumper and Yeo added a triple to give Sta. Lucia an 89-85 lead with 33 seconds remaining.

Ronald Tubid led the Kings with 21 points while Menk had 16.