MIKE Harris won his battle against Allen Durham and Alaska won a hell of a war against Meralco, 104-102, to take Game 3 of the PBA Governors Cup semifinals series Thursday night at the Astrodome.
Harris scored the Aces' final four points inside the last 16 seconds, including a completed three point play to break the game's final deadlock and give the Aces a 103-100 lead.
He later added a free throw to knot the final count as the Bolts missed four chances of sending the game into overtime, including two baskets by Durham underneath.
Harris finished with 31 points including 14 in the final quarter, while adding 24 rebounds and 11 assists in the game of changing fortunes.
Alaska now leads the series, 2-1, and will go for the jugular in Game 4 set Saturday night at the Astrodome.
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But the win certainly was a memorable one for the Aces as the hard-fought game featured 10 lead changes and was tied 11 times.
"I don't know what TV ratings were like, but I hope a bunch of people were watching that game because that was an excellent basketball game played by both teams;" said Alaska coach Alex Compton afterwards.
"That's one of those games nobody deserves to lose."
Siimon Enciso buried a couple of clutch shots down the stretch to finish with 17 points, including 11 in the final period, together with Chris Banchero.
It was a tough loss for the Bolts, who were only down by two with nine seconds left after Harris split his two free throws.
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But Meralco couldn't convert as Durham missed two shots underneath, Reynel Hugnatan bungled a one-handed tip-in, and Anjo Caram's desperate jumper from the perimeter was wide.
"Alam ninyo yung expression na your heart is in your throat?," said Compton following the thrilling win.
"They were tipping the ball around, tipping the ball around, and even Anjo's last shot...," said the obviously relieved Alaska mentor.
Durham came through with big numbers of 37 points and 13 rebounds, and eigth assists, while scoring 11 in the final quarter.
Veteran Reynel Hugnatan also played big with 18 points on 4-of-5 shooting from three-point range in a losing cause for Meralco.
Chris Newsome likewise finished with 18 points before fouling out in the game with that contact against Harris that led to the import's completed three point play. (RG)
The scores:
Alaska 104 - Harris 31, Enciso 17, Banchero 17, Baclao 11, Manuel 8, Casio 7, Thoss 6, Cruz 4, Racal 3, Exciminiano 0, Potts 0.
Meralco 102 - Durham 37, Hugnatan 19, Newsome 18, Amer 11, Caram 4, Faundo 4, Salva 3, Dillinger 3, Lanete 3, Canaleta 0, Tolomia 0.
Quarters: 25-22, 47-53, 75-74, 104-102.
