Aces, Bolts open semis series

Meralco, a team chasing a breakthrough win, and Alaska Milk, a side pursuing the road to redemption, slug it out in the opener of their Oppo PBA Commissioner’s Cup best-of-five semifinal face-off at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Monday night.

Odds are about even between the two teams which break the ice in their Final Four showdown at 7 p.m.

Alaska has been the dominant side in their previous battles but Meralco import Arinze Onuaku is considered a possible game-changer.

The mammoth import has easily been the biggest factor in the Bolts’ huge turnaround from their last-place finish in the Philippine Cup.

Nonetheless, Meralco coach Norman Black is trying to paint his team as the underdog.

 “We are aware that most people will not give us much of a chance against a very experienced Alaska team, but that’s the beauty of competition. We will show up to fight and compete,” said Black.

The one-time grandslam-winning coach is looking forward to a good series.

“Energy and execution will be key for us. We will have to break their pressure defense, limit turnovers and find ways to free up Arinze,” he said.

“Defensively, it will be important that we try to disrupt their motion offense as much as possible because they are a team that relies on player and ball movement,” he added.

It could really be Alaska’s running game versus Meralco’s deliberate halfcourt game.

In their elims tussle on April 8, Meralco prevailed, 107-101.

Going to the series, Onuaku averages 19.8 points, 18.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.2 blocks. Other Bolts with twin-digit norms are Chris Newsome (12.3 ppg), Jared Dillinger (11.6) and Cliff Hodge (11.0).

In three games after taking over from Shane Edwards, Rob Dozier has led the Aces to a winning 2-1 record.

The one-time Best Import awardee piles up 22.1 points, 11.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 2.1 blocks and 1.7 steals per game.

Alaska locals averaging at least 10 points are Calvin Abueva, Vic Manuel, Joachim Thoss and RJ Jazul.

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