#PBA2015 GOVS CUP PREVIEW: ALASKA ACES vs STAR HOTSHOTS – TIME TO BOUNCE BACK

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Both ALA and PUR are coming off tough losses. ALA’s win streak was snapped by a hard-fighting TNT squad  a week ago, while PUR absorbed its third loss in a row after getting beaten by SMB. Without a doubt, both teams are raring to bounce back in this game.

The Aces had a strong start to the conference, winning their first three assignments (BLA, GIN, & ROS), but they ran into a deep and aggressive TNT quintet, which won by just one point, 104-103. Now the Aces are looking to get back on the winning track against the struggling Hotshots, but it’ll be a very tall order. PUR has seemingly had ALA’s number this season, winning three of four matches overall. ALA will need to muster a lot of energy and confidence if it is hoping to gain its 4th W this conference.

PUR, meanwhile, has had a disappointing early stretch this conference. The defending champs have looked far from the form that enabled them to win the 2014 Govs Cup that clinched the team’s Grand Slam. At times, they have looked tired and listless, and their moments of brilliance are just too few and far between. Import Marqus Blakely has been putting up the numbers, but even he alone won’t be enough to carry PUR to its third Govs Cup crown in a row.

Previous results:

PHL Cup

ALA beat PUR, 93-73

COMM Cup

PUR beat ALA, 108-88 (elims)

PUR beat ALA, 120-86 (quarterfinals game 1)

PUR beat ALA, 96-89 (quarterfinals game 2)

1. ROMEO OH ROMEO!

Romeo Travis doesn’t really excel at one thing relative to the other imports in the conference (e.g. Liam McMorrow is a beast on the glass, Sam Daghles is the best playmaker, Orlando Johnson is the deadliest shooter, etc.), but he has been a consistent and reliable double-double machine for the Aces. That’s really all ALA will need from Travis, who may have his hands full trying to contain veteran Marqus Blakely in this match-up.

vs TNT: 26pts, 10rebs, 2asts, 3stls, 1blk, 40.7 FG%

2. CASIO CONNECTS!

After struggling for most of this season, Casio has looked healthy and has seemingly found his form. He had his best game in a long time against TNT, putting up 21 points in 26 minutes, and that’s something ALA will need more consistently from its top PG if it is to make a lot more noise this conference.

Season stats: 8.8ppg, 2.9rpg, 2.9apg, 1.4 triples per game, 33.3 3pt%, 39.1 FG%

Govs Cup stats: 12.5ppg, 3.3rpg, 3.3apg, 2.3 triples per game, 60.0 3pt%, 60.0 FG%

3. CYRUS THE VIRUS

Another guy who stepped up against TNT was veteran Cyrus Baguio. His numbers have annually gone down since 2011-2012, but that’s mainly because of the presence of Calvin Abueva. Still, despite that, Baguio should be a vital piece for the Aces, who are looking to continue challenging the top teams for top honors this conference. If Cyrus can be effective again in this game, the Aces should have a good shot of upending PUR

First 3 games: 0.7ppg, 2.3rpg, 1/6 FGs

4. ALASKA: ALAS SA OPENSA!

As a team, ALA has been mighty impressive on the offensive end. The Aces are tops in scoring, total FG%, 2pt%, assists, steals, and points off turnovers. Against a PUR team that has really struggled so far and that gave up 100 points in its last game, the Aces’ offense should not encounter too much trouble.

ALASKA:

102.8ppg – #1

46.7 FG% – #1

86.3 FT% – #1

20.5apg – #1

9.5spg – #1

21.8 pts off TOs – #1

20.5 forced TOs per game – #1

5. MR. EVERYTHING NEEDS HELP

Here’s the thing if you are a PUR fan — you like how Marqus Blakely has been playing so far, but you hate how he just doesn’t seem to have any consistent help. Veterans James Yap, PJ Simon, JDV, and Ping have been inconsistent, which is also the same for young guns Barroca and Maliksi. PUR’s second best scorer right now is Alex Mallari, who is scoring 12.0ppg. I’m not sure having Mallari as their second option is really far from an ideal set-up for the Hotshots. Blakely is surely Mr. Everything, but even he needs a lot of help. The only real knock on Blakely is that he has the highest turnover average among ALL players — 5.5 turnovers per game.

Govs Cup stats: 24.3ppg, 14.5rpg, 3.8apg, 3.5spg, 3.0bpg, 61.8 FG%

6. MAD MARK!

Barroca has been a tad inconsistent this conference, but, by and large, he is still this team’s best option at PG. It’ll be interesting to see how he matches up against collegiate rival and former Gilas teammate Casio, and  that should prove to be a very entertaining side story in this game. Without a doubt, however, Barroca needs to play really well in a supporting role if PUR doesn’t want to be left behind in this game and in the standings.

First 3 games: 7.3ppg, 4.7rpg, 0 triples, 30.4 FG%

Last game: 15pts, 5rebs, 2 triples, 40.0 FG%

7. KILLED ON THE GLASS

Another reason PUR has been struggling is the team is getting clobbered on the glass. PUR is grabbing 44.5 rebounds per game, but giving up more than 48! That just won’t cut it, especially if the team is serious about defending the only jewel left in its Grand Slam.

PUR Rebounding:

Rebs per game – 44.5 (#11)

Rebs Allowed per game – 48.3 (#6)

Rebounding difference – -3.8 per game (#9th worst)

8. FALLING STAR

Aside from rebounding, PUR has been struggling in three other major stats: scoring, 3pt shooting, and assists. With usual reliables like Yap, JDV, Ping, and Simon all playing inconsistently, it will be really tough for PUR to climb out of its current hole and be put in a prime spot to defend its title. It still early, but if nothing changes, these hotshot champs will quickly fall back down to earth.

Scoring: 85.3ppg (#11), -4.5 pt. difference per game

3pt shooting: 24.3% (#12), 4.3 triples per game (#12)

Assists: 16.0apg (#13)

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