Tough battle ahead as Beermen, Aces mix it up

San Miguel Beer tries to solidify its spot in the Top Four while Alaska Milk seeks to cling on a position in the Top Eight as the old foes clash in another expected tough battle in the PBA Governors Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Wednesday.

The Beermen and the Aces mix it up at 7 p.m. with the former out to bounce back from a loss and the latter chasing a follow-up on a stirring road game win the last time out.

San Miguel dropped a frustrating 92-98 loss to Globalport on Friday that relegated the Beermen down to fourth place at 4-2, half-game behind joint second placers Barangay Ginebra (5-2) and Mahindra (5-2).

So disappointed was import Arizona Reid that he was not around in the huddle during their last time-out with the game in the bag for the Batang Pier.

After the game, he hinted at taking some rest, saying he’s badly battered with the long minutes he’s been playing. He’s quoted as saying “I’m not a machine.”

The San Miguel management and coaching staff, however, are likely to have dealt with the concern of Reid, especially as the season-ending tourney is entering its crucial stage.

Coach Leo Austria is confident he can handle the situation.

Distractions are unwanted for any team at this juncture with the playoffs just around the corner.

The Beermen are fighting to land a spot in the Top Four for a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.

At 2-4, Alaska is tied with Globalport and Phoenix Petroleum at eighth place.

The Aces got some relief on Saturday when they clobbered the Star Hotshots, 85-69, in a Petron Blaze road showdown in Panabo, Del Norte.

They’re determined to get going now to enhance their playoff aspiration.

At the end of the one-round-robin elims, only the top eight advance to the playoff round.

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