Forgot your password? Forgot your username?
Member Area
You are here:
PBA Finals: Miller three-pointer puts Alaska on the brink
Written by staff   
Saturday, 07 February 2009 01:56

PBAWillie Miller buried a shocking three-pointer he was not instructed to take in the first place, atoning for what could have been a lousy night and leading Alaska to a heart-pounding 95-93 win over Talk ‘N Text in Game Five of the KFC Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup Friday night at the Astrodome.

The Aces now move on the threshold of their 13th championship with a 3-2 series lead in their best-of-seven title showdown.

Miller, the first guard to win the most valuable player (MVP) award twice, launched a looping attempt over the outstretched arms of Jared Dillinger at least a foot away from the three-point line with the ball drifting in an arching path before finding the bottom of the net with 8.7 seconds left to play.

Miller raised both arms after that spectacular shot and opened his mouth so wide as gestures of relief for a game Alaska nearly lost because of two turnovers by its main man.

Talk ‘N Text had all the chance in the world to send the game into overtime, even win it. But Ren-Ren Ritualo muffed an open three-pointer from the right corner and Harvey Carey bungled a wide open follow-up shot as time expired.

“Lucky Willie made that shot," said Alaska coach Tim Cone. “He had a lot of making to do. 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."

Another win on Sunday by Alaska will reward the franchise its 13th PBA crown.

It was a loss that was just bitter for Talk ‘N Text to accept, especially for Mark Cardona who scored 16 fourth-quarter points.

“We got the shot we wanted in the end, we just missed," said TNT coach Chot Reyes. “Willie makes a big shot, we missed open shots. That was just the story."

Miller eventually ended up with 15 points. He easily would have ended as the goat had the Aces lost, committing two turnovers in the last 71 seconds.

Sonny Thoss led the Aces with 20 points and nine rebounds and LA Tenorio added 10 markers and a career-high and conference-best 12 assists.

Cardona topscored for TNT with 23 points while Jimmy Alapag had 19.

Tags: Willie Miller  PBA  Basketball  Alaska  
 
Related Articles
WebPhilippine Sports

Sport Page

Motor Sports

More from this Section

Sports

Professional Sports

Who's Online

We have 15 guests online