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Alaska goes for 2-0 in Dubai, battles Ginebra

ALAS-gin thoss

DUBAI – Can Alaska rise to the challenge of having to play two straight games in less than 24 hours?

The Aces’ will and character will definitely be put to big test when they return to the hard court and play a well-rested Barangay Ginebra team less than 24 hours after a tough encounter with the Mahindra at Al Wasl Sports Club here.

The Aces have staked their fine start in the Smart Bro PBA Philippine Cup when they agreed to play two straight games in this progressive city that boasts of towering buildings, including the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building.

The Aces barely have time to recover from a tough win over the Enforcers, 98-94, and Alaska Alex Compton coach is fully aware of the sticky situation his team is in.

“We’ll have really essentially no practice to get ready for them (Gin Kings), then they’ve had a week to prepare for us. So it’s gonna be challenge,” said Compton Friday hours before their scheduled meeting with the Enforcers.

“We’ll have less than 24 hours (to prepare). Our prep time basically is, eat after Mahindra game, sleep and get our minds right before we talk about Ginebra. Then the next morning, about 10 hours before the game, we’ll have our walk-through and watch video,” added Compton.

With Dubai time is four hours late, the game ended at nearly 3 a.m. in Manila time.

Though banged-up, the Aces return to the hard court on a high note and are hoping they could still bring their A-game be successful on both ends.

“We’ll just see if we can bring our A game and hopefully we’ll be successful,” added Compton, saying the Gin Kings could “click” on any given day which makes them scary. “They’re definitely scary. Greg Slaughter is playing great.”

The Gin Kings have dropped their first two outings as they continued to struggle under a new system and a new coach in Tim Cone.

“Ilan beses nang nag-champion Purefoods sa kanya na parang 1-4 start niya, so I don’t look at the record, I look at the man coaching the team. I have great cause for concern,” said Compton.

“You know Ginebra, they’re incredibly talented, they’re super talented. They’ve got the best coach, and and it’s just gonna take time learning the new system,” added Compton.

The Gin Kings last played on Oct. 31 in a game against Barako Bull which defeated them, 82-79, before proceeding to this city four days thereafter.

“We’re not where we want to be at this point, but it’s certainly not panic time,” said Cone, declaring the Kings have adopted well to what they’ve been doing in practice.

Cone’s concern though is whether the Gin Kings have learned to keep their discipline “come game time and under the bright lights.”

“But I am happy with the players’ effort. We knew we need to be patient. We still have a lot of work to do,” added Cone.

The Gin Kings are playing for the fifth time here, their last being in the last Governors’ Cup. They defeated Rain or Shine, 93-81, when they were still under coach Frankie Lim.

The Aces, who are here are for the first time, are bringing along a 2-0 start. If they win both assignments here in Dubai, they will move up to 4-0.(AC)

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