Baguio-led Alaska survives Hickerson's season-best 46

The Alaska Aces allowed an 11-point lead to dissipate and were bracing for another fourth quarter meltdown when Cyrus Baguio and L.A. Tenorio picked up their offensive rhythm in the nick of time.

Alaska’s backcourt duo accounted for 17 of their team’s last 21 points as the Ace overcame Leroy Hickerson’s league season-high 46 points and subdued the Air21 Express, 98-94, Friday night in the PBA Fiesta Conference at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Coming off a frustrating 75-76 loss against Talk N Text last Wednesday, the Aces were again teetering on the edge when the Express took an 82-77 lead on a Hickerson basket with under six minutes remaining.

But the Aces kept the opponents at bay with excellent defense before Tenorio scored on back-to-back baskets that led to a 12-0 run. Baguio closed that spurt with a hard drive for lay-up then made two free throws to put Alaska ahead to stay.

Over the last five minutes of the game, the Aces outscored the Express, 21-12.

“I told the players before the game that (Air21) may be a 3-11 team but the return of Wynne Arboleda and their new import [Hickerson] made them a better team. I surely, would not want to play them in the wildcard,” said Alaska coach Tim Cone.

Import Diamond Simpson led Alaska with 24 points but managed just four points in the fourth quarter.

But Baguio picked up the slack, scoring 14 of his 22 points in the fourth while Tenorio had seven of 12 points in the last 12 minutes of play to propel Alaska to its ninth win in 15 games.

“This win is crucial for us in terms of the standings. Another loss would have taken us down in the wild card area,” Cone said.

Alaska posted several 11-point leads before closing the first half with a 48-41 lead.

But shooting woes in the third allowed the Express to slowly claw back and pull within three points entering the fourth quarter.

Alaska’s offensive struggles continued to hound the team in the fourth and Air21 capitalized on it. A four-point play and another 3-point shot by Renren Ritualo followed by a lay-up by Hickerson put Air21 ahead, 82-77.

But again, the Express came up short.

“Saying yung nilaro naming sa fourth. Our import played great but the locals need to step up,” said Air21 coach Yeng Guiao. “I think we have a good chance of advancing in the quarterfinals. But of course we must first get to the wildcard phase.”

Hickerson, who played only his second game, also had 14 rebounds and was three assists short of a triple-double.

Ritualo, who went 3-for-3 from the three-point zone, finished with 14 points and Beau Belga added 12 for the Express, who slid to 3-12. (DBC)

The scores:

Alaska 98 - Simpson 24, Baguio 22, Dela Cruz 14, Tenorio 12, De Vance 11, Borboran 8, Thoss 4, Cariaso 3, Eman 0, Hugnatan 0.

Air21 94 - Hickerson 46, Ritualo 14, Belga 12, Sharma 6, Alvarez 5, Cortez 4, Buenafe 3, Rodriguez 2, Arboleda 2, Matias 0, Kramer 0, Gonzales 0, Billones 0.

Quarterscores: 26-24, 48-41, 67-64, 98-94