Alaska Takes Commanding 2-0 Lead

The sight of Miami head coach Eric Spoelstra at ringside provided some inspiration for the Alaska Aces, particularly on Diamon Simpson.

“I was aware he was around. His presence was truly inspirational,” said the prolific import who turned in another double-double effort in Alaska’s 94-90 victory against San Miguel Beer Sunday that gave the Aces a 2-0 lead in their PBA Fiesta Conference Finals at the Araneta Coliseum.

Alaska Stuns Beermen Claims Game1

TIRED? Absolutely not. Pressured? Leave it out. Alaska is by far an entirely different ball club than the one that finished fourth in the elimination round.

And if the San Miguel Beermen don’t watch out, the Aces might just turn the championship series into another shocker just like the way they did in the semi-finals against Talk ‘N Text.

Diamon Simpson was steady, LA Tenorio was huge again down the stretch, and Alaska came back from a lethargic start to stun San Miguel Beer, 89-83, in Game One Friday night of their best-of-seven Finals series in the PBA Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum.

Jay Washington Bagged Best Player Award; Gabe Freeman the Best Import

PART of the best twice in his career, Jay Washington now has an award that makes him the best.

Among the imports, Gabe Freeman remains the best.

Washington, a two-time member of the Mythical Team and No. 1 pick in the 2005 Draft, was named Friday night Best Player of the PBA Fiesta Conference and Freeman as Best Import in simple ceremonies preceding Game One of the Finals between San Miguel Beer and Alaska at the Araneta Coliseum.

Talk N Text Claims Third Place

Talk ‘N Text wrapped up its season with a third-place finish in the PBA Fiesta Conference.

Macmac Cardona had conference-high 30 points to power the Tropang Texters to a 113-95 romp over B-Meg Derby Ace Friday at the Araneta Coliseum in a game Talk 'N Text head coach Chot Reyes branded as a “useless game to play”.

Alaska enters PBA Finals

All series long, Talk 'N Text tried to set a tempo more suitable to their nimble line-up. Alaska, however, wouldn't budge. So in Game 7, while Talk 'N Text Head Coach Chot Reyes was all dressed up to disco, Alaska Head Coach Tim Cone, sporting his ubiquitous slacks and necktie, was set for the prom. By starting Game 7 with Jared Dillinger, Kelly Williams, Aaron Aban and Jason Castro, the Tropang Texters' intention seemed obvious: let's break-dance. By using just eight men, Alaska's game-plan suggested something else: let's stroll. It was like watching an awkward dance. The guy wanted to boogie. The girl wanted to waltz.

San Miguel Beermen Enters Finals

San Miguel Beer stoked the fire of its title-retention campaign.

SMB stayed in the hunt for back-to-back PBA Fiesta Conference championships and ended the B-MEG Derby Ace’s hopes for a season double crown as the Beermen clobbered the Llamados, 91-83, in a do-or-die match at the Araneta Coliseum Sunday night.

Raising their game notches higher after a sorry loss Friday, the Beermen put to an end the Llamados’ season, winning their best-of-seven semifinals showdown at 4-2.

The Beermen are heading to the finals either against the Alaska Milk Aces or the Talk n Text Tropang Texers.

It’s the 31st finals for the league’s winningest team.

ALASKA FORGES SERIES DECIDER

ALASKA will not let itself be struck by the Talk ‘N Text lightning anew. Cyrus Baguio made sure of that by pulling off a rally-stifling steal and conversion that propped the Aces to a 94-83 victory over the Tropang Texters Sunday that forged a deciding game in their PBA Fiesta Conference semifinals series at the Araneta Coliseum. Those clutch plays happened at the most opportune of times, coming in the final 1:11 that stopped cold Talk 'N Text’s charge to within 83-91 from a 19-point fourth quarter deficit. From there, Alaska’s defense continued to hold as it bounced back from an 81-82 loss in Game 5 last Friday and set up the do-or-die match in the best-of-seven duel on Wednesday.