TOUGH MATCHUP
Against Philippine Cup runner-up Alaska, reigning champion Purefoods Star could have gotten the toughest matchup among the top seeds in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup playoffs.
“Alaska it is, and we probably could not have picked a tougher opponent,” said Purefoods coach Tim Cone on the eve of the playoffs opener.
“At this time of the conference, every team is tough. We’ve worked hard the whole week, so we’re a confident group,” Cone also said. “In a short series, anything can happen. We’re hoping we can get that first game.”
Behind a strong finishing kick against Barangay Ginebra Wednesday, the Aces avoided a quarterfinals matchup with a twice-to-beat advantage.
Alas, the Aces found themselves ranged against Cone and his Purefoods squad that’s in pursuit of a title-repeat and a fifth crown in the last six conferences.
They slug it out in a best-of-three quarterfinal series starting at 7 p.m. Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“Our time of being happy about making the playoffs is over. We have to play Purefoods, the best team in the league at winning in these situations,” said Alaska coach Alex Compton.
“Everyone on that team knows how to win and Denzel (Bowles) is playing great. I’m sure we will learn some lessons from them in this short series, but hopefully we can find ways to steal some possessions from them,” Compton also said.
The Hotshots are considered the favorites versus the Aces owing to their better showing in the elims.
Purefoods crushed Alaska, 108-88, on Feb. 3 and the Hotshots also topped the Aces, 2-1, in their quarters confrontation in the same tournament last year.
Compton does feel the Aces face a formidable task versus the defending champs who are riding the momentum of a four-game run going into the quarters.
The Hotshots have lost only three matches so far and these were when they tried their luck with Daniel Orton for two games, and in their first game with the returning Bowles.
As they regained their rhythm, the Hotshots rolled past the San Miguel Beermen, the Talk n Text Tropang Texters, the Barako Bull Energy and the Meralco Bolts to finish the elims at 8-3.
The Aces, on the other hand, barely made the playoffs in winning their last game against the Gin Kings, 104-98.
But if their health woes are over, the Aces could match up with the Hotshots with a core group including import Damion James, Calvin Abueva, Sonny Thoss, Vic Manuel, Cyrus Baguio, Jvee Casio, RJ Jazul, Chris Banchero and Tony dela Cruz.
On the other side of the court is Best Import plum holder Bowles, All-Star players James Yap, Marc Pingris, Mark Barroca, Joe Devance, PJ Simon, Justin Melton and their formidable second group.
Bowles averages 33.4 points, 15.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.8 blocks while James norms 28.29 markers, 15.29 boards, 2.14 dish-offs, 2.14 steals and 1.43 blocks. (SB)
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer & other 70+ titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download as early as 4am & share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.
