REYNEL HUGNATAN made two crucial free throws with 53 seconds remaining in the second overtime and the Alaska Aces knocked the San Miguel Beermen, 113-109, in Game Six of their semifinal series last night and advanced to the Finals of the 2007 Talk ’N Text-Philippine Basketball Association Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum.

It was an amazing comeback for the Aces, who looked defeated after falling behind by 11 points early in the fourth and lost three key players in the crucial stretch with the game was on the line.

“I forgot what it feels like to be in the finals. It’s not sinking in just yet,” offered Alaska coach Tim Cone, who will be making his 19th finals appearance since he joined the team in 1989.

Their ability to stay together and hung tough when the odds are against them rewarded the Aces a shot at a championship for the first time in a long while. Alaska won their last conference title during the 2002 Governors Cup.

Nobody had asked Cone but he would agree this one’s so sweet.

For most part of regulation, Alaska couldn’t get their rhythm going and worse, they couldn’t capitalize on the few breaks that went their way.

For all their misfortunes along the way, Cone admitted he nearly gave up.

“I was yelling at everybody…the players, the referees, my coaching staff. But then I thought this wouldn’t do any good to the team. So I tried to cool off to regain my senses,” Cone said.

The tenacity and aggressiveness of the match took its toll on Mike Cortez, Sonny Thoss and Nic Belasco of Alaska and San Miguel’s Danny Ildefonso and import Galen Young who left the floor on fouls.

Cone said his import, Rosell Ellis, was so exhausted he threw up three times moments after reaching their locker room.

Ellis led all scorers with 34 points on 13-of-23 shooting in 53 minutes of play. Willie Miller scored 20 points including two three-pointers that gave the Aces a 100-98 lead in the first overtime while Hugnatan added 16 and 17 rebounds for Alaska, which is making its 21st Finals appearance overall.

It was a frustrating loss for the Beermen who appeared on the way to a deciding Game Seven when they built a 76-65 advantage early in the fourth. 

LUCKY 7?

THE ancient Babylonians honored seven sacred planets. The Bible says God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh day. The Lord’s Prayer consists of seven petitions.

Aces are in ‘Fiesta’ finals

REYNEL HUGNATAN made two crucial free throws with 53 seconds remaining in the second overtime and the Alaska Aces knocked the San Miguel Beermen, 113-109, in Game Six of their semifinal series last night and advanced to the Finals of the 2007 Talk ’N Text-Philippine Basketball Association Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum.

NOT only is Marco Antonio Barrera a dangerous foe for Manny Pacquiao. The Filipino boxing icon even considers the Mexican warrior as his toughest opponent ever.

Jenny Lee won the NSW Amateur Championship but not without a worthy challenge put up by former Philippine national team member, now an Australian citizen, Frances Bondad on Saturday.

Frankie Mińoza failed to sustain a third straight subpar round and came up with an unimpressive three-over-par 73 in the third but remained in the hunt, or at least a top-five finish, in the Ą130-million UBS Japan Golf Tour Championship in Ibaraki outside of Tokyo.

ENGLAND is credited with inventing football. Curiously, when you think of the beautiful game, chances are the first thing that will come to mind are the Brazilians who have dominated the sport.