MIXERS, ACES HOPING TO GET BACK IN THE GROOVE
SAN Mig Coffee and Alaska got off to a shaky start in their PLDT myDSL-PBA Philippine Cup campaign.
It’s now time to make up for lost ground when the Mixers and Aces collide 8 p.m. Friday at the Cuneta Astrodome.
By the looks of it, Alaska seems to have the upper hand as San Mig is trying to make do despite injuries to PJ Simon (bruised right Achilles tendon) and Joe Devance (left knee). The two were absent in the Mixers’ 69-86 loss to Barangay Ginebra last Sunday.
Although Simon is expected to see action, the same cannot be said of Devance. Add to that list dynamic rookie Justin Melton, who was relegated to the reserve list also due to injury suffered in their season opener.
That should augur well for the Aces, who are showing up with a complete roster and eager to bounce back from their own 74-87 defeat to Rain or Shine in Davao City also on opening day.
For Alaska coach Luigi Trillo, however, it’s all about overcoming the enemy from within his team, as displayed in their loss.
“Did not do a good job of coaching the last game,” admitted Trillo. “We allowed a lot of transition points (18), we had 20 turnovers compared to the 11 of Rain or Shine. Our energy was not like Rain or Shine’s.
“I have to get guys comfortable on the floor again, playing both sides of the court.”
That also holds true for San Mig Coffee.
Against Ginebra, the Mixers showed flashes of the form that carried them to the last Governors’ Cup title, even posting two 12-point spreads. Then they faded at about the same time the Kings found their usual fiery selves.
For San Mig Coffee to have a chance, main man James Yap must shoot much better than his 4-for-14 clip against Ginebra while the likes of Marc Pingris, Yancy de Ocampo, Mark Barroca and No. 2 pick Ian Sangalang should also crank their game up at least a notch. (NC)
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