MANILA: After much ado and an overflow of suspense, the top two teams after the elimination round eventually took their places in the finals of the Philippine Cup.
Top-seeded Alaska joined No. 2-ranked Talk 'N Text in the best-of-seven series for the season-opening jewel last night after eking out an 87-83 victory that finally dethroned Sta. Lucia at the Cuneta Astrodome.
That victory came just a few hours after the Tropang Texters survived San Miguel, 116-115, in overtime in one of the finest games played in the season as both the Aces and Talk 'N Text closed out their respective series with 4-2 wins.
Willie Miller, with a heavily taped left shoulder and all in the second half, scored for the Aces' last five points inside the final 2:02, saving the day yet again for Alaska, which encountered a stiff challenge from the Realtors.
Miller, winner of two MVP awards with two teams before coming over to Alaska, went on to finish with 22 points aside from grabbing five rebounds and five assists in a brilliant all-around game that erased memories of a six-point Game 5 effort. "That's what veterans do, lead their teams," Alaska coach Tim Cone said in reference to his 6-foot dynamo. Dennis Espino had 21 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in leading Sta. Lucia, which drew 16 points each and a combined 19 rebounds from Nelbert Omolon and reigning MVP Kelly Williams.
Talk 'N Text also had its hero in Mac Cardona, who came away with 34 points on a 7-of-15 clip from beyond three-point range with his last triple eventually rounding out scoring with still 1:41 left.
"By some sheer twist of providence, what I told them (owners and management) exactly one year ago came true," said coach Chot Reyes, ever talkative, told scribes.
Harvey Carey was the other hero for the Texters after the 6-foot-4 forward collected a night-high 22 boards, the final three spelling victory as Talk 'N Text was able to keep possession and run out the clock.
Talk 'N Text actually had to bleed for the win after the Texters had thrown away a 17-point third quarter lead with Danny Seigle and Jay Washington leading the attack for the Beermen. Jimmy Alapag, who finished with 27 points, drilled three straight treys that ushered the Texters to a 77-60 lead with still 7:11 left in the third period, giving most in the jam-packed venue the idea that it was going to be a blowout. But Seigle rejuvenated the Beermen, shooting the last of his 32 points, a triple, with 2:14 left in regulation for a 105-103 San Miguel lead. And after Alapag had given the Texters a 111-108 advantage with two free throws off Bonbon Custodio, Washington knotted the game with a three-pointer with 24.4 seconds to go to forge an extra five minutes. It was also Washington who gave San Miguel the lead for the last time, 115-113 with 1:53 left in overtime. He was also the one who muffed a wide open layup against his former team with under 30 seconds left.
"It's hard to say right now," Cone said when asked of what he thought of his match-up with Talk 'N Text which won out in a high-scoring series compared to the one he played against Sta. Lucia which put a premium on defense,
"I didn't watch a full minute of that series," he said. "But when you beat a tough team like San Miguel (in a series), that in itself is making a statement."
