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Sharing the No. 2 spot with an identical 3-2 win-loss record in the 2009-10 KFC-PBA Philippine Cup, San Miguel Beer and Sta. Lucia Realty will be bringing today to Victorias City another high-caliber basketball in another out-of-town offering of the Philippine Basketball Association.
Basketball-loving Negrenses are expected to pack the Victorias Sports Coliseum to watch Beermen Dondon Hontiveros, Mick Pennisi and newly-acquired Arwind Santos trying to outplay Realtors Neil Omolon, Kelly Williams and Joseph Yeo.
Meanwhile, in last night's triple showdown at the Cuneta Astrodome , Alaska Aces rode high on another inspired performance from Willie Miller to beat Burger King, 87-73, and register their sixth consecutive win .
The 6-0 win streak of the Aces matched their 1996 record, the year when Alaska joined the elite list of teams scoring a grand slam feat in the PBA.
In a post-game interview with Manila-based sportswriters, Alaska head coach Tim Cone said his players exceeded his expectations.
Cone said the Aces responded well and did a great job of getting prepared for the game.
It was a complete surprise that the Aces managed to waltz all night against a team Cone described as a “blue-collar team” because of its toughness and scrappiness, reports from the PBA website said.
On Wednesday after getting past Sta. Lucia, Cone told sportswriters that he anticipated a rough sailing against the Whoppers and warned his troops about his fears during huddle before game time.
His anticipations turned out to be unfounded as the Whoppers, who picked up their second straight loss and fourth in five games, appeared out of focus and didn't show signs of urgency in their game.
Miller went 5-for-5 from the perimeter for 13 of his 19 points in the opening quarter as the Aces, who are three wins away from sweeping the first round of the eliminations, raced to a 27-19 lead after period. They held on to that lead that went as high as 26 point midway in the fourth quarter.
Reynel Hugnatan turned in 16 points, Joe Devance had 13 and point guard L.A. Tenorio grabbed 10 rebounds for the Aces, who outrebounded the Whoppers, 56-44.
Carlo Sharma pulled Burger King to within 38-45 early in the third quarter but the Whoppers turned the ball over in their next three possessions enabling the Aces to complete a 9-0 run that led to Alaska 's breakaway.
Ronjay Buenafe scored 15 points and had five assists, Richard Yee had 13 points and Ronnie Matias and Beau Belga added 10 apiece for Burger King, which shot just 39 percent from the field.*NAB
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