G inebra’s JC Intal stretches for a lay up against Alaska’s Joe Devance. (Photo by TONY PIONILLA)

Alaska squandered a 23-point lead but hung tough to hack out a thrilling 91-88 victory over the Ginebra Gin Kings Sunday and take a commanding 3-0 lead in their best-of-seven semifinal series in the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.

Getting the needed spark from Mark Caguioa in the fourth quarter, Ginebra managed to trim Alaska’s huge 23-point lead to two in the dying seconds, but ran out of gas in the end as Alaska escaped with the win.

Caguioa spearheaded a furious rally midway through the fourth, trimming Alaska’s biggest lead to two, 88-90, on Caguioa’s drive with 33 seconds left.

That, however, proved to be the best the Kings could do as Ronald Tubid bungled his charities off a Willie Miller foul with 9.5 ticks to go in the next play.

Alaska’s Reynel Hugnatan then split his charities in the next play with 7.7 seconds left for the final count as Caguioa's missed a triple at the other end spelled doom for the Kings.

The Aces, who won the first two games of the series, took a 23-14 lead with the 5-foot-9 LA Tenorio scattering eight points on 3-of-4 shooting from the field. His tear-drop shot gave them a 41-25 lead with 4:16 left in the second quarter.

With former Most Valuable Player (MVP) Jayjay Helterbrand struggling, Ginebra coach Jong Uichico was forced to use veteran point guard and ex-Alaska player Johnny Abarrientos.

With the 5-foot-7 Abarrientos orchestrating the play, the Gin Kings were able to cut the deficit to 10 points, 37-47, on a basket by Enrico Villenueva, but Tony dela Cruz gave the Aces a 12-point advantage with a jumper for a 49-37 halftime edge.

Alaska dictated the game’s tempo even with Miller missing his four attempts from the perimeter for a scoreless first half.

Alaska scored a mighty 104-79 victory in Game 1, and 90-82 in Game 2 against Ginebra, which dethroned Talk ‘N Text in a highly emotional and physical best-of-five quarterfinal series.
The Aces can sweep the series with another win in Game 4 on Wednesday at the Big Dome.

In the history of the PBA, only three teams have swept a seven-game showdown with Ginebra the last team to do it during the 2008 Fiesta Cup semifinals against Red Bull (now Barako Bull).

Alaska, despite its rich history, will be eyeing its first ever sweep.

No team has ever come back or even extends a series to Game 7 after going down 0-3. Even in the NBA’s 64-year history, no team has even returned from 0-3 in a best-of-seven series.

The Scores:
First Game
ALASKA 91 — Tenorio 15, Dela Cruz 15, De Vance 13, Miller 10, Fonacier 9, Thoss 9, Hugnatan 9, Borboran 6, Ferriols 2, Cariaso 2, Cablay 1.
GINEBRA 88 — Caguioa 20, Intal 12, Salvacion 12, Helterbrand 12, Tubid 10, Villanueva 9, Baguio 7, Abarrientos 4, Mamaril 2, Alvarez 0, Wilson 0, Cruz 0.
Quarters: 23-14, 49-37, 76-59, 91-88.