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SERVICES
THE INQUIRER COMPANY
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04
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19
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2024
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SERVICES
THE INQUIRER COMPANY
04
19
2024
ALASKA is back in its usual role as a contender in the PBA Philippine Cup, no little thanks to a three-game winning roll.
A very good gauge on how worthy a title challenger the Aces are should be had Friday when they clash with the TNT KaTropa Texters at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
The winner gets to move alongside idle Blackwater for second-running spot while the loser slides down to a tie with Phoenix for eighth.
With that in mind, TNT coach Nash Racela has prepared a basic gameplan he feels would stack the odds more in his team’s favor.
“Alaska plays hard and consistent for 48 minutes,” said Racela, noting how the Aces stretched their streak, which started with come-from-behind wins over GlobalPort and Meralco, with a big 101-86 drubbing of Barangay Ginebra just last Sunday.
“We need to match those for us to have a good chance tomorrow,” Racela added.
Alaska counterpart Akex Compton knows exactly how huge a stumbling block TNT is, especially since the Texters are themselves coming off a 117-98 walloping of Phoenix last week.
“TNT is one of the two most talented teams in the league,” noted Compton.
“They are long. They are athletic. They are in their prime. They are well-coached. Without question this is a top contender for the championship every conference, including this one.
“To put things in perspective they are one of the three teams in the league with two MVP’s in their roster. Not only that, they have Jayson (Castro) (the best point guard in Asia) and Ranidel (deOcampo) (long-time Gilas members and clearly one of the best players in the PBA) coming off the bench!!!
“They provide us with an incredible challenge and how we can defend and keep them off the glass will be a huge part of this game.”
Rebounding should indeed be a crucial factor since Alaska, despite a new acquisition in center Jake Pascual, remains undersized with the continuous absence of injured regular slotmen Sonny Thoss and Noy Baclao.
TNT, on the other hand, boasts of the likes of towering frontliners Kelly Williams, Troy Rosario, Moala Tautuaa and Frank Golla, not to mention De Ocampo.
How the likes of Vic Manuel, Calvin Abueva, Tony dela Cruz, and Marlon Magat and Jaypee Mendoza can anchor the Aces’ small ball-style of play should be the big question since the two teams are almost equal in terms of perimeter play.
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