MANILA — The Alaska Aces unleashed an 11-4 run in the endgame to beat the Tropang TNT Texters, 85-81, Tuesday night to send their PBA Commissioner's Cup quarterfinal series into a do-or-die Game 3. The third-seeded Aces thus avenged their Game 1 loss to the sixth-seeded Texters Sunday. The winner of their series goes up to meet the Meralco Bolts in a best-of-5 semifinals series. Import Rob Dozier paced Alaska with 18 points and 10 rebounds while Calvin Abueva and Sonny Thoss added 15 markers apiece. Thoss also had eight rebounds. The loss negated the 31-point and 15-rebound performance of TNT import David Simon. Jayson Castro, chipped in with impressive all-around numbers of 17 points, 11 assists and five rebounds. Rain or Shine 102, Ginebra 89 The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters led from start to finish to sweep the Barangay Ginebra Kings in their best-of-3 quarterfinals series with a 102-89 victory. Unlike in Game 1 of the series Sunday, when the Painters started cold but caught up with the Kings in the homestretch, coach Yeng Guiao's boys were red-hot from the get-go Tuesday. The Painters quickly raced to a double-digit lead and never relented until the final buzzer sounded. While the Kings were still crestfallen from their bitter Game 1 loss, the resurgent Painters were brimming with confidence as they frustrated the beleaguered Kings no end with their suffocating defense. Jeff Chan and JR Quinahan led ROS with 22 and 21 points, respectively. Chan banged in 10 of his markers in the final quarter while Quinahan added seven crucial points in the endgame. Maverick Ahanmisi added 13 points for the Painters while newly acquired import Pierre Henderson-Niles chipped in with 10 markers and 14 boards in the victory. Rain or Shine now awaits the winner of the San Miguel-Star duel Wednesday for its opponent in the best-of-5 semifinals series. Import Othyus Jeffers led Ginebra with 27 points, 14 rebounds, and six assists, while Greg Slaughter and Japeth Aguilar posted identical numbers of 14 markers and eight boards. LA Tenorio and Mark Caguioa added 11 and 10 points, respectively. Game Wednesday (Quarterfinals): Star Hotshots vs. San Miguel Beermen.
