[JasonDB]

I like your reasoning. Frankly, late in the MTTs, I hate playing much besides PPs under the gun unless I am making a gutsy steal move. However, I just felt like I needed a double up to ensure my final table status and had not been catching much in the last hour.

The only disagreement I may have with you is that I felt I could catch one of the desparate short stacks with a smaller ace. However, if I had to do it all over again, even not knowing the outcome, I probably make a 3x BB raise and try my chances with the flop.