• MANILA, Philippines – Alaska nipped Barangay Ginebra, 76-75, to thwart the Kings’ bid for an outright entry into the semifinals of the 2009 Motolite PBA Fiesta Cup Friday night at the Araneta Coliseum.

The victory gave the Aces a chance to gain the eighth spot through a playoff against Coca-Cola, which won, 105-89, versus semifinalist San Miguel Beer in the first game.

Alaska and Coca Cola ended the eliminations with identical 8-6 marks and the loser in the playoff will fall to ninth spot which like the 10th placer Barako Bull will have to win twice against their wild card opponents.

Ginebra, on the other hand, will have another chance at bagging the second and last outright semifinal berth in another playoff this Sunday against Rain or Shine.

Ginebra, Rain or Shine and Burger King actually finished the elimination round tied for third to fifth spots, but better quotient gave the Kings and Elasto Painters the shot at taking the automatic semis spot.

The Aces were ahead by as much as 21 points in the match and were holding a 68-48 advantage at the start of the final period until Billy Mamaril started a rally with a three-point play.

Then Chito Lanete, Cyrus Baguio and Jayjay Helterbrand took turns with their outside snipings from the three-point area to erase the Aces’ double-digit advantage.

Helterbrand's back-to-back baskets even gave the Gin Kings a 73-71 lead down the stretch.

But after Raffy Reavis’ two free throws, that gave Ginebra a slim 75-74 edge, Miller scored on a lay-up for the final tally giving the Aces the win.
“Sinuwerte kami, lalo na dun sa layup ko. Sumesenyas si coach (Tim Cone) ng time out hindi ko nakita, ayon sumugod ako," said Miller.

The Gin Kings had another chance at winning the match but David Noel was whistled for an offensive foul in Ginebra's last ball possession. – Perry Legaspi, GMANews.TV