Alaska catches playoff bus

I think it was the first time I beat coach Yeng.

FRANKO House powers Alaska to a quarterfinal spot.

Alaska caught the last bus headed to the quarterfinals following a 106-90 victory over NLEX in the Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup last night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

Import Franko House delivered and drew enough support from the locals for the Aces, who clinched their fifth win in 11 games to grab the seventh spot in the playoffs.

Alaska will take on second seed Meralco, which would be coming with a twice-to-beat edge, in the quarterfinals.

House fired 24 points, eight rebounds and five assists while the local crew of Abu Tratter, JV Casio and Kevin Racal stepped up, chipping in 12 points apiece for the Aces, who started the season with a 0-5 mark before winning five of their next six matches.

“I think it was the first time I beat coach Yeng,” Alaska coach Jeffrey Cariaso said, referring to NLEX mentor Yeng Guiao, who handled Gilas Pilipinas in the 18th Asian Games and the FIBA Basketball World Cup.

“This win tonight shows that my players were ready. I challenged them to be ready because it’s already the playoffs. We have to be focussed and put ourselves in playoff-mindset.”

Alaska came out firing, erecting a 63-46 lead at the half with House delivering 18 points.

Although the Road Warriors ignited a 10-4 rally to cut the lead to 12, 90-102 in the final 1:11, they fell short as the Aces showed enough composure to book the victory.

Manny Harris registered 22 points, nine rebounds and six assists while JR Quiñahan netted 17 points and four rebounds and Kiefer Ravena finished with 15 points, seven rebounds and six assists for the Road Warriors, who suffered their second consecutive setback.

They, however, would still march to the playoffs as the top seed armed with a twice-to-beat edge against eighth seed NorthPort.

Meanwhile, San Miguel Beer slapped Arwind Santos, Kelly Nabong and Ronald Tubid with indefinite suspension for their involvement in a brawl during their training last Sunday.

Import Dez Wells also had a major role, but he already left the country on Tuesday.

“While the conflict has been resolved, and the incident occurred away from the public eye, the San Miguel organization does not tolerate unsportsmanlike behavior,” the Beermen said in a statement.

“Basketball is a physical game where emotions can run high, but we believe that PBA players have to be held to a higher standard of professionalism and sportsmanship at all times.”