ACES WARY OF ROAD WARRIORS IN BID TO SHARE LEAD
ALASKA has high goals but coach Alex Compton is one looking back over his shoulders. The one his sights are fixed on right now is NLEX.
“NLEX is a well-coached, veteran team that plays smart basketball,” noted Compton of the Road Warriors, who his Aces aim to overcome 4:15 p.m. Tuesday to regain a share of the PBA Governors’ Cup lead at the Mall of Asia Arena.
“They have a dominant center in Asi (Taulava), a high flying import in (Kwame) Alexander, an excellent point guard in Jonas Villanueva and a bunch of shooters and scorers, including Michael Madanly and Macmac (Cardona) around these guys,” expounded Compton.
The feeling is mutual for coach Boyet Fernandez, whose NLEX team aims to snap out of back-to-back losses and start what should be an arduous climb for inclusion among the eight teams advancing to the quarterfinals.
“Tomorrow’s game is crucial for our team,” stated Fernandez on the eve of the match. “If we want to make it to the quarters we have to start winning more so we have to beat Alaska.
“Tough task. Alaska is really playing well as a team. We are ready in terms of our game plan. It’s how we will execute tomorrow that will be important.”
Alaska has little of said concerns.
Displaying the disciplined brand of basketball they have been known for with their usual poise and grit, the Aces emerged from a hard-fought contest with defending champion Star a 92-86 winner last Wednesday.
In stark contrast, NLEX is coming off an 88-109 loss to TNT last Tuesday with the Road Warriors seemingly still reeling from a last-second 82-85 loss to expansion team Kia eight days before.
Compton knows NLEX is set to rebound in a big way.
“A few bounces haven’t gone their way this conference, but I believe their record is deceiving and we need to play our best basketball from start to finish if we want to win this one,” stated Compton.
What should be vital are the matchups between Sonny Thoss and Taulava, Jayvee Casio and Villanueva and Romeo Travis against Alexander.
How big the contributions of the likes of Alaska’s Calvin Abueva, Cyrus Baguio, Vic Manuel and Chris Banchero, as well as NLEX’s Mark Borboran, Rico Villanueva and KG Canaleta should also be crucial. (NC)
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