MANILA — The Alaska Aces turned to defense-minded guard Ping Exciminiano for the extra spurt to finish off the GlobalPort Batang Pier, 118-89, in Game 5 of their PBA Philippine Cup semifinals Tuesday night. The Aces thus clinched the first Finals berth as they wrapped up their best-of-seven semifinal series with the Batang Pier at 4-1. They await the winner of the other semifinal duel between the defending champion San Miguel Beer and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, a series that is currently tied at 2-2. It will be the second straight Finals appearance for Alaska and third in the last four conferences. The unheralded Exciminiano played his best game in the conference, finishing with a team-high 19 points on top of five boards and three steals as he led six other Aces who scored at least 10 points. Chris Banchero had 18 points while Calvin Abueva and Sonny Thoss added 14 apiece. Cyrus Baguio and Vic Manuel chipped in with 10 points each. Alaska was in full control of the game from start to finish, never giving GlobalPort any opening to extend the series en route to their fourth straight victory after dropping Game 1 of the series. The Aces started the game on a 5-0 run. GlobalPort managed to level the score at 15-all, but the Aces responded with an 8-0 blast as they finished the first quarter with a 27-17 lead. The Batang Pier closed to within two points, 38-36, in the second quarter. But the Aces once again extended their lead, finishing the half ahead by nine, 60-51. Alaska started breaking the game wide open in the third quarter despite the streak-shooting of GlobalPort's Jay Washington who already had 24 points in that period. The Aces kept pummeling the hapless Batang Pier who appeared to be simply waiting for the final buzzer to put an end to their misery. Washington paced GlobalPort with 26 points, while Terrence Romeo and Stanley Pringle added 20 and 15, respectively. Game Wednesday: Rain or Shine Elasto Painters vs. San Miguel Beer (Game 5 of best-of-7 semifinals; Series tied 2-2).
