MANILA — The top-seeded Alaska Aces overhauled a 16-point deficit to send the Barangay Ginebra Kings crashing out of the PBA Governors' Cup with a 114-108 playoffs victory Friday night. The win lifted the Aces to the best-of-5 semifinals against the winner of the Star versus GlobalPort sudden-death Sunday. Following their rousing win over the NLEX Road Warriors Tuesday that kept them alive, the Kings appeared to be back on the winning track in the first half and early in the third quarter where they led the Aces, 65-49. But Ginebra's hopes came crashing down when the Aces unleashed a furious 18-1 run led by Dondon Hontiveros who scored eight of his 13 points total in that period. Alaska grabbed the lead, 77-75, at the end of the third. There was no stopping the fired-up Aces in the final quarter where they led by as many as 13 points as they coasted to victory. Import Romeo Travis paced Alaska with a huge double-double of 29 points and 21 rebounds on top of six assists and three blocks with just one turnover. Sonny Thoss added 14 markers and 10 boards. Vic Manuel played a key role in the Alaska victory coming off the bench to finish with 14 points and seven rebounds. Orlando Johnson paced Ginebra with 28 points and 10 boards. Sol Mercado played his best game in a Kings uniform, scoring 21 points on top of seven assists. Greg Slaughter chipped in with 19 points and eight boards while Japeth Aguilar and LA Tenorio added 15 and 14 points, respectively. Star 126, GlobalPort 73 The defending champion and fifth seeded Star Hotshots stayed alive and made history, bludgeoning the fourth seeded GlobalPort Batang Pier, 126-73, to force a deciding game Sunday for the right to advance to a best-of-5 semifinals against the top-seeded Alaska Aces. The 53-point victory was the biggest winning margin in PBA playoff history and the fourth all-time largest winning margin in league history. Import Marqus Blakely led Star with 23 points, nine rebounds, five assists, two steals and two blocks. Four other Hotshots scored in double-digits with Mark Barroca banging in 16 points, Alex Mallari and James Yap added 15 apiece, and Justin Melton chipping in with 14 markers. The Hotshots completely dominated the Batang Pier right from the start, taking a 38-point lead at halftime, 73-35, and never relaxing their grip on the surprise Top 4 finisher. Terrence Romeo led GlobalPort with 18 points, while import Jarrid Famous finished with a double-double 16 markers and 15 rebounds. Games Saturday: Rain or Shine (twice-to-beat) vs. Barako Bull and San Miguel Beermen (twice to beat) vs. Meralco Bolts.
