Alaska's Willie Miller lead over RoS

MANILA, Philippines—Alaska’s Willie Miller taught a young Rain or Shine team a lesson in closing out games Sunday night as the veteran guard provided the late scoring punch to propel the Aces past the Elasto Painters, 91-84, in the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Miller knocked in seven straight points in a span of 1 minute 18 seconds as the Aces regained the lead, 85-78, after blowing a 20-point advantage in the third quarter.
The heroics effectively throttled another late surge by the Elasto Painters, who fell to 2-2, after winning their first two games this season.
“We have the best closer in the league in Willie Miller,” said Alaska coach Tim Cone, whose team tightened its grip on the lead with a 4-0 card. “It’s always good to have a veteran presence down the stretch.”
In the second game, Red Bull finally barged into the win column, bringing down Barangay Ginebra, 100-94.
The Kings trailed most of the way by double digits and when they tried to initiate a rally, the Barako would find a way to quell it.
Red Bull improved to 1-3 while Ginebra dropped to 2-1.
A blowout victory seemed inevitable for the Aces after they erected a 72-52 lead on Jeffrey Cariaso’s jumper with 1:53 remaining in the third period.
But Alaska could only muster a single field goal in the next seven minutes, while the Elasto Painters, thriving on an up-tempo style, went on a 26-6 tear to tie the game at 78 on Jay-R Reyes’ short stab with 3:18 remaining.
“We lost our energy level in the fourth quarter and allowed them to come back,” said Cone.
But Miller made sure Alaska remained the only team that the Asian Coatings franchise has yet to beat since it entered the league in 2006.
Miller, who also grabbed 10 rebounds, scored on a back-door play, before burying a fade-away jumper over rookie Solomon Mercado and knocking in a trey with two minutes remaining.

The scores
First Game
ALASKA 91—Miller 21, Tenorio 18, Dela Cruz 13, Hugnatan 10, Cariaso 9, De Vance 7, Thoss 5, Ferriols 4, Fonacier 2, Sotto 2, Borboran 0.
RAIN OR SHINE 84—Reyes 16, Wainright 14, Norwood 12, Tang 11, Mercado 8, Isip 7, Laure 5, Arana 4, Salangsang 3, Andaya 2, Ibañes 2.
Quarters: 25-20,52-39, 74-58, 91-84

Second Game
RED BULL 100—Espinas 18, Baguio 15, Sharma 14, Hubalde 12, Alvarez 12, Rodriguez 8, Chan 7, Cruz 6, Duncil 5, Membrere 3, Najorda 0, Hrabak 0.
GINEBRA 94—Helterbrand 22, Pacana 18, Salvacion 12, Wilson 10, Cabatu 8, Crisano 8, Artadi 6, Menk 6, Tubid 4, Escalona 0, Holper 0, Valenzuela 0.
Quarters: 30-22, 51-39, 70-62, 100-94