ACES TRY TO ELUDE BATANG PIER’S AXE
GLOBALPORT has gotten its axe sharply honed and is about to wield it anew.
Not if Alaska could avoid those fatal swings, however.
The Aces have apparently learned their lessons from a recent disaster when they square off with the upset-conscious Batang Pier Saturday in the PBA Philippine Cup road game at the Xavier University Gym in Cagayan de Oro City.
Alaska is gunning to regain solo leadership but must first hurdle a GlobalPort crew that comes to the Petron Blaze-sponsored match armed with a resuscitated lineup and a reinforced positive attitude.
“Our win against Talk N Text gave us the confidence,” said Batang Pier coach Pido Jarencio, referring to his charges’ man-sized 105-97 conquest of heavily-favored Talk N Text last Tuesday.
The reasons why GlobalPort pulled the rug from under the Tropang Texters and has now won three of its last four games are not lost on Alaska coach Alex Compton.
“GlobalPort is playing excellent basketball and is obviously one of the scariest teams in the league right now,” said Compton. “They play very hard and they are shooting the lights out as a team. Their guards create so well and so often and yet they don’t turn the ball over.”
The Aces are themselves coming off a surprise 78-85 loss to Barako Bull last Wednesday, cutting their winning streak in the Compton era at six.
For Alaska to come out of its current leadership tie with San Miguel Beer Compton said his charges must take to heart his words.
“Our defensive intensity and philosophy will be tested in this game,” said Compton.”Hopefully, we can play hard and have a good game for the people of Cagayan de Oro.”
It wouldn’t hurt the Aces any to also find their offensive touch. After going 29-for-87 from the field in a 69-56 win over Blackwater their game before, they made just 30 of 76 tries against Barako.
GlobalPort already has one prized player rediscovering his fire.
After opening up the season with 33 points, Terrence Romeo struggled over the next four with just a 4.5 ppg average. Then he exploded for 30 against TNT.
It is not just Romeo who will be under the microscope for the Batang Pier as Alaska would also be trying to put the shackles on the likes of Stanley Pringle, Alex Cabagnot, Mark Isip, Ronjay Buenafe and Keith Jensen.
The Aces, for their part, are most likely to turn to Calvin Abueva, Vic Manuel, Eric Menk and Sonny Thoss for inside points while relying on Jayvee Casio, Dondon Hontiveros and RJ Jasul to stretch the defense.
Jarencio was unwittingly speaking for both teams when he said: “I hope we’ll be consistent, in offense and defense.” (NC)
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