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FOR 13TH PBA CROWN

Alaska goes for clincher as Talk ‘N Text hangs on

By Arman Carandang

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Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz

02/08/2009

Sure, Alaska Milk would chose to focus on how to carry out its plan today than venture on nonsensical superstition associated with No. 13.

The rejuvenated Aces plunge into action today, hoping to nail down their 13th PBA title today against a Talk ‘N Text team that can never be taken for granted owing to its bench which the Aces realized was deeper than everybody thought.

And the lure of a 13th championship that will make them tied for second winningest team with the fabled Crispa Redmanizers in the bygone era of PBA loop is just as tempting for the Aces, especially after they survived Friday’s Game Five which was decided only in the last 8.7 seconds at the Cuneta Astrodome.

With momentum on their side after an imposing 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series, the Aces are well on the threshold of ending it in tonight’s Game Six set at 6 p.m. at the Araneta Coliseum. Not unless the Tropang Texters avert it.

And because of his three-point dagger that eventually decided the gripping Game Five for the Aces, 95-93, Willie Miller could only expect to be the target of Tropang Texters’ defensive effort in a game that also has some personal significance for Alaska coach Tim Cone.

The 6-foot-0 Miller, who had earlier bagged the Best Player of the Conference award, was hot and cold during Game Six, but managed to redeem himself when he sank a booming triple in front of the outstretched arms of rookie Jared Dillinger during Alaska’s last offensive play for the night.

Miller’s triple, one of his three for the night, lifted the Aces for what stood in the final tally, and enabled the Aces to wrest the lead in the series which was tied by TNT at 2-2 after beating them in Game 3 (92-73) and Game 4 (100-98).

It was not the play that Cone had instructed the Aces to carry out, as Cone had admitted during the post-game interview, but Miller took the challenge as he opted to launch a desperate attempt which could have made everyone blame him had he missed it.

“He had a lot of making up to do,” said Cone, referring to Miller, who had committed a couple of errors in the last minute of play.

“Willie is gutsy, he’s not afraid to take big shots. That’s good for him. The play was for him to get the ball,” said Cone, adding that “decision such that one is what makes a great player.”

“If he didn’t make the shot, he was willing to take the blame,” Cone added.

Cone is the second winningest coach in the league behind Virgilio “Baby” Dalupan who has 15.