BOTH DETERMINED
Barako Bull and Alaska are wary of one another as they face off at the halfway point of their elimination round campaigns in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome Tuesday.
Going to the 7 p.m. match, Barako Bull is at sixth place with a 3-2 win-loss card while Alaska is a game behind at 2-3.
“The goal is to match, if not surpass, the intensity and energy of Alaska. We have to execute and be disciplined on offense because we can’t afford to lose the ball,” said Barako coach Koy Banal.
“The game will be a tough one for us. Barako is one of the best defensive teams in the league right now and coach Koy really has them playing as a team,” said Alaska coach Alex Compton.
“(Sol) Alabi is an impressive import and we have to find ways to limit his easy baskets,” Compton also said.
Both are determined to win as they are barely up on the last four placers going into the last half of the elims where only the Top Eight advance to the playoffs.
After a hot 3-0 start, the Energy have cooled down, dropping their last two games against the Talk n Text Tropang Texters and the GlobalPort Batang Pier.
Meanwhile, the Aces have yet to get into the groove, going loss-win-loss-win-loss in their first five games in the mid-season tourney after a runner-up finish to the San Miguel Beermen in the Philippine Cup.
After winning their grudge match with the Beermen, 107-100, the Aces failed to get going, yielding to the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 89-99.
The Aces continue to struggle, for one, due to health woes.
Barely back, Calvin Abueva again got hurt in their last game. Sonny Thoss, meanwhile, is still doubtful.
Compton, however, is confident they would be there on the floor fighting.
For his part, Banal is hopeful they would come out fresh and reinvigorated in their return from a six-day rest after an 18-point blowout by the Batang Pier.
GlobalPort import replacement Calvin Warner, struggling for only nine points in the first three quarters, hit timely baskets in the final period as the Batang Pier drubbed the Barako Bull Energy, 99-81.
Warner, using court savvy to make up for his lack of size, tossed in 14 points in the payoff period, helping spark their breakaway from a 66-62 lead at the start of the fourth quarter en route to the crucial win. (SB)
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer & other 70+ titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download as early as 4am & share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.