Game Saturday (Naga City Coliseum)
5 p.m. — B-Meg vs Air21

Games Sunday (Araneta Coliseum)
4 p.m. — Barako Bull vs Powerade
6:30 p.m. — San Miguel vs GinebraLions

MANILA, Philippines — Fiesta Cup champion Alaska Milk got a big lift from forward Joe Devance down the stretch to down Rain or Shine, 88-80, and keep its record intact in the 36th PBA Philippine Cup Friday night at the Astrodome in Pasay City.

Devance, who played first for Rain or Shine, posted his second double-double this conference by scoring 25 points and grabbing 12 rebounds as the Aces surged to their third straight win in as many outings.

He was ably supported by Cyrus Baguio who contributed 20 markers.

The Elasto Painters slipped to 1-2.

Protecting a three-point advantage, 68-65, the Aces used an 8-0 run behind LA Tenorio, Devance and wingman Tony dela Cruz to make it 76-65 with 3:47 left.

Rain or Shine made five straight free throws to close within 71-76, but Baguio nailed a tough jumper to make it 78-71, 2:15 to play.

“I’m happy with the win but I’m not really happy with the way we won the game,” said Alaska mentor Tim Cone, whose team shot 33-of-78 (42.3%) from the field, their lowest so far this conference. “Sometimes I thought we’re playing a blowout game, but it’s not a blowout.”

“But we can’t complain with 3-0, this is exactly where we want in the conference. We’re not yet in a playoff form… we should be playing in playoff level all the time. That’s the standard I want my team to bring every night,” he added.

Rain or Shine, which won against Air21 (89-86) on a game-winning three-pointer by Jeff Chan Wednesday night, failed to take advantage of its hot start when it opened a 26-19 lead.

In the third period, the Aces took a 52-42 lead with five minutes to play as the Painters shot 1-of-15. They finally made a basket at the 4:22 mark of the third on Larry Rodriguez’s lay-up, 44-52. Rain or Shine was 5-of-23 (21.7 precent) from the field in the third.

The scores:
ALASKA 88 — Devance 25, Baguio 20, Tenorio 11, Thoss 11, Dela Cruz 11, Custodio 6, Borboran 2, Eman 2.
RAIN OR SHINE 80 — Mercado 10, Tang 10, Kramer 10, Norwood 9, Chan 9, Araña 9, Ferriols 8, Rodriguez 5, Cruz 4, Reyes 4, Bugia 2, Vanlandingham 0.
Quarters: 19-26, 41-39, 59-54, 88-80.