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ACES, BOLTS CLASH FOR PLACE IN FINAL 4
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The pretenders are gone and so are the deposed four-peat champs.
Six contenders are left with former grand slam champ Alaska and emerging contender Meralco facing off in a do-or-die game for a berth in the PBA Philippine Cup Final Four at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Sunday.
The Aces sent the Bolts down on their knees in their elimination-round tussle, but coach Alex Compton is the first to say they can count on that 106-64 annihilation.
True enough, that’s a thing of the past.
Better look at their head-on collisions. They are squared up at eight-all, hinting at even chances for both teams as they clash at 5 p.m. for the right to play the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the best-of-seven semifinals.
The Aces are out to improve on their fourth-place finish in the last Governors’ Cup while the Bolts look to gain a breakthrough right in their first tournament under coach Norman Black.
The winner will stay in the running to be the successor to the throne of Purefoods while the loser joins Blackwater, Kia Motors, Barako Bull, NLEX, Purefoods, and GlobalPort in an early Christmas break.
Both the Aces and the Bolts don’t want a blue Christmas.
Leading the Aces to a third runner-up finish in his PBA head coaching debut in the Governors’ Cup, Alex Compton wants to improve on that though he’s wary of Meralco as a do-or-die opponent.
“They cause us much problem. Kung pwede sana bye na lang kami sa semis,” said Compton in half jest.
Meralco has made a big stir in delivering the killer blow on Purefoods.
“It was a nice win over Purefoods but the only thing that matters now is winning versus Alaska and advancing to the semis,” said Black.
“It will be a tough task but that is the goal,” Black pointed out.
“We must keep them (the Aces) off the offensive boards, and it’s important that we break their full court defensive pressure,” Black also said.
Both teams actually thrive playing intense, rugged basketball. That’s the name of the game for Alaska star Calvin Abueva and for Meralco’s Cliff Hodge, Sean Anthony, Jared Dillinger and Reynel Hugnatan.
The Bolts bank on enthusiasm and energy to offset lack of ceiling.
In terms of manpower, Alaska is definitely more balanced and versatile with frontliners Sonny Thoss, Eric Menk, Vic Manuel, Sam Eman and Abueva, and backcourt guys Cyrus Baguio, Dondon Hontiveros, Jvee Casio, RJ Jazul, Chris Banchero and Tony de la Cruz.
The Aces wavered at the close of the elims, suffering crucial losses to the Barangay Ginebra Kings and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters but they have recovered with their 82-78 win over the NLEX Road Warriors in the initial stage of the quarterfinals Thursday.
Compton took responsibility for their losses to the Kings and the E-Painters. “It’s on me,” he said.
The Bolts ride the momentum of a three-game streak going to their rematch with the Aces. (SB)
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EDITORS' PICK
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