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Clutch Hontiveros powers Alaska to thrilling win over Ginebra

Alaska defeated Ginebra to stop the Gin Kings winning streak in the PBA Governor’s Cup

The Alaska Aces completed the comeback, 91-90 by booting out the favoured Ginebra Gin Kings in a close match yesterday at the Cuneta Astrodome, Pasay City.

            Dondon Hontiveros, who has an off play game, starred Alaska’s win as he knocks down a crucial three-point connection coming from the pass of Chris Banchero that gives them a one-point lead in the last 7.6 seconds of the fourth quarter.

            “Iniisip ko na lang na baka yun na yung pagkakataon kong magcontribute. Pumasaok naman. Kaya salamat sa Diyos,” said Hontiveros.

            The Aces also drew 21 pts and 12 rebounds from Sonny Thoss while Cyrus Baguio added 13 pts and 5 assists to give their team its 2^nd win after they escape from a 23-points decifit throughout the game.

            “May tiwala ako sa mga players ko kaya sinabihan ko silang ibigay lang ang kaya nila,” said Alaska head coach Alex Compton.

            The Aces took a 0-2 advantage early in the 1^st quarter but the Gin kings able to recover and established a huge and comfortable lead at the end of the regulation.

The Aces tried to bounce back when Jayvee Casio nailed two 3-pointers that give his team a 3-points advantage, 26-29 but Gin Kings answers with their own version of a 3-point shot from Mark Caguioa, who tallied three consecutive corner pockets, 26-38.

In the 2^nd half, the 7-foot 2 forward, Japeth Aguilar fires up both on defense and offense to increase the lead of the Gin Kings, 78-89 but the Aces able to turn the table around coming into the final stretch of the 4^th quarter.

With perseverance, cooperation and putting strong defense on both ends, the Aces managed to inch closer but the Gin Kings fought back as Greg Slaughter successfully hit the mark in his free throw that put his team on top, 88-90.

With 2 minutes remaining in the ball game, the Aces iced the game, then coming from nowhere, Hontiveros launch a bullet in the three-point area, 91-90.

 In the remaining 7.6 seconds, Gin Kings got the ball possession but, Slaughter failed to connect the undergoal shot.

The run-and-gun play of both teams ends and the Aces breaks the five-game winning streak of the Gin Kings.

“Ayos naman ang laro namin. Talagang nagpursige sila,” said Caguioa, who carries the Gin Kings with 47 pts, carrier high while Aguilar contributed 12 pts and 10 rebounds. Gin Kings drop it record to 7-4.

On the other pairing, San Miguel Beermen won over Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 82-77 that place them second in the rank, 8-4 behind Talk and Text Tropang texters, 9-1.