alaska-aces-san-miguel-beermen-2010-pba-fiesta-conference-championship
Photo Credit: PBA.Ph

August 18, 2010 – The San Miguel Beermen provided a not good enough answer to stop an Alaska Aces crew raring to get their 13th championship as they lost game 6, 102-88 of the best-of-seven 2010 PBA Fiesta Conference Finals at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Alaska Aces suprised the San Miguel Beermen right at the start of the first quarter and they controlled the tempo most of the game. Occasionally, SMB would make mini runs but Alaska would immediately make counter runs right after time outs.

Import Gabe Freeman fought hard till the very end despite not getting much needed help from an offensively-loaded squad. The locals seem to lost focus and motivation after Alaska continued on scoring despite putting up one good defense after the other melting the clock and then surprisingly sinking last second shots.

Center Mick Pennisi was the only spark plug in the crucial fourth period where the Beermen was playing catch up of around 8-10 point-lead by Alaska. Arwind Santos also provided some needed points. The win clinched the championship for Alaska after winning the series at 4-2.

The loss will eventually give way to the rumored shake up in the SMC teams among coaching staffs and players. Watch out for the coming days as the SMC Management reveals their future plans for the 3 SMC teams including the San Miguel Beermen.

Full game story is as follows from the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA.PH).

SWEET VICTORY FOR ALASKA, ACES FIESTA CUP CHAMPS
Wed, 08/18/2010 – 23:17 — junior

The Alaska Aces underscored their mastery over San Miguel with scintillating 102-88 victory in Game 6 and clinched the PBA Fiesta Conference championship at the Araneta Coliseum.

Displaying tremendous confidence and excellent teamwork, the Aces practically dominated the game, taking control with an 18-8 run midway in the first on the way to claiming the franchise’s 13th championship.

Diamon Simpson, the unselfish, versatile 22-year old, wound up his first tour of duty in PBA with a superb performance, finishing with 28 points and 19 rebounds and had five blocks that all but accentuate his domination over Gabe Freeman – the conference’s Best Import.

Alaska wrapped up the best-of-seven series, 4-2.

“This is so special considering those great teams, those great coaches. It’s so sweet when you have the chance to win,” proclaimed Alaska coach Tim Cone, who also won his career 13th championship – all with the Aces. He is just two titles away from matching his idol, the legendary coach Baby Dalupan, who had won a record 15 championships.

The final game of the series wasn’t exactly anti-climatic. The defending champion Beermen trailed by as many as 16 points but managed to pull with four points late in the second quarter.

But poor shooting and their inability to match the Aces’ intensity eventually took its toll on the Beermen.

“We defended well and shot well,” Cone emphasized.

During the awarding ceremony, team owner Wilfred Steven Uytengsu thanked SMB for a well played series, the Alaska fans and the players for winning the championship Which he dedicated to his father who passed away few months ago.

The Aces also got excellent performances from L.A. Tenorio (12 points, 11 assists) and Cyrus Baguio (24 points, 2 steals) who were named co-Finals MVP.

Freeman was the only good thing going for SMB in the first half when Alaska was slowly building on their momentum.

He poured 21 of his game-high 32 points in that stretch and his 3-point play late in the second quarter pulled the SMB to within 41-45.

Alaska led by just eight points at halftime but Tenorio opened the third quarter with a 3-point play and Baguio followed with another 3-point shot (his fourth of the night) as the Aces stretched the lead to 60-44.

Arwind Santos scored 16 points and Mick Pennisi added 12 for SMB, which shot a woeful 38 percent (34-of-89).

Successive baskets by Denok Miranda and Freeman gave SMB a 11-10 lead before Joe De Vance (14 points) knocked three treys between them during an 18-8 run that shove the Aces ahead for good. (DBC)

The scores:

Alaska 102 – Simpson 28, Baguio 24, De Vance 14, Tenorio 12, Thoss 12, Borboran 6, Fonacier 6, Robinson 0, Hugnatan 0, Cariaso 0.

San Miguel 88 – Freeman 32, Santos 16, Pennisi 12, Cabagnot 7, Washington 5, Ildefonso 5, Miranda 4, Hontiveros 4, Yeo 3, Pena 0.

Quarters: 28-19, 52-44, 77-64, 102-88