PBA Fiesta: Aces fluster Phone Pals to grab title

The Alaska Aces captured the 2007 Talk 'N Text-PBA Fiesta Conference crown, defeating the Talk 'N Text Phone Pals in a tightly-fought Game 7, 99-96, before a full-house crowd at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City. With the victory, Alaska coach Time Cone, a two-time PBA Coach of the Year awardee, earned his 12th PBA title in the last 18 years, and the first for the Aces since they won the 2000 All Filipino Cup. The Aces' Willie Miller, a former Letran Knight, received the PBA Final's Most Valuable Player (MVP) from the PBA Press Corps, for his average production of 23 points, five rebounds, and five assists in the best-of-seven finals series. For Game 7, Miller, who is also the 2006-2007 MVP, produced 22 points and five assists for the Aces. In accepting his trophy, Miller thanked the legions of Aces fans who trooped to the Cuneta Astrodome to show their support, even after the team went down 2-3 in the finals' series. "Nagpapasalamat ako sa mga fans na patuloy na sumusuporta sa Alaska ganun na din sa aking mga teammates na ginawa ang lahat para makuha namin ang kampeonato na ito," Miller said. The Aces were leading by a two points at 98-96 with still 15.5 seconds left in the game when Reynel Hugnatan was fouled by Macmac Cardona. Though an 82-percent free-throw shooter this season, Hugnatan failed to convert on his freebies, with the Phone Pals getting the rebound. The Pals called for a timeout with 10.9 seconds left. Before Hugnatan's misses, Miller, who had been steady at the free-throw line throughout the series, also missed both his free-throw attempts, which gave the Pals the chance to send the game into overtime. After a timeout called by Pals coach Derrick Pumaren, the ball went to the hands of Pals guard Donbel Belano who made a three-point attempt that missed the rim. The ball was grabbed by Aces import Rosell Ellis who handed the ball over to Hugnatan. Hugnatan was fouled by the Pal with just a second left in the game. Hugnatan, who scored 19 points and eight rebounds for the Aces, converted one of his two free-throws to give Alaska a three point lead at 99-96. After a last timeout by Pumaren, JJ Sullinger's desperate three point shot from 30 feet away hit the rim as the time expired. Actually, the Phone Pals dominated the first half of the game, leading by eight points at 53-45 as Cardona torched the Aces' defense with 21 big points and five rebounds. At the start of the third period, the Aces bounced back with full of energy as they outscored the Pals, 25 to 19, to cut the deficit to just two points, 72-70. Best import of the conference Rosell Ellis was the star during that third quarter run as he scored 13 of 25 points of the Aces. Cardona, who scored 21 first-half points, was scoreless in the quarter. The start of the fourth saw both teams not giving an inch on the offensive end as they scored basket after basket. The biggest lead of Alaska was only four points, the last at 97-93, with under a minute left. Sullinger top-scored for the Pals with 30 points and 12 rebounds. He was ably supported by Cardona, the best player for the Fiesta Conference who scored 29 points, eight rebounds, and two assists, and by Jay Washington, who produced 12 points (on 6/9 field goals) and 10 rebounds. A total of 10,040 PBA fans watched the game. Alaska's 12th title is third best among the PBA teams with the most number of championships, behind San Miguel 17 and Crispa's 13 titles. Fourth in the all-time list is Toyota with nine PBA titles, followed by Ginebra at fifth spot with seven. Quarter scores: 26-25, 53,45, 72-70, 96-99

- GMANews.TV