#PBA2015 GOVS CUP PREVIEW: ALASKA ACES vs NLEX ROAD WARRIORS – OPPOSITE ENDS

As of this writing, ALA and NLX are on opposite ends of the spectrum. The Aces are at the very top of the leaderboard with 4 wins in 5 games, while the Road Warriors are just one notch from the bottom with 4 losses in 5 matches.

The Aces have been quite impressive this conference beating some really tough teams, including defending champion Purefoods Star, on their way to the top. The bigger challenge for Alex Compton’s crew, of course, is if they can stay on top, and winning against NLX today will certainly help them keep their place.

NLX, on the other hand, is looking for that breakout win that will keep them in contention for the next round and, maybe, help turn their campaign around. NLX looks like a pretty good team on paper, especially with impressive imports in Kwame Alexander and Michel Madanly, but they just haven’t been able to translate that into wins, losing four times already with three of those losses by 5 points or less. If the Road Warriors manage to upset ALA here, that may just be the first step in stringing together some victories.

Previous results:

PHL Cup

ALA beat NLX, 90-84 (elims)

ALA beat NLX, 82-78 (quarterfinals)

COMM Cup

ALA beat NLX, 96-96

1. TERRIFIC TRAVIS

Import Romeo Travis has been quite solid for the Aces. Despite giving up a few inches to the taller imports and big men in the league, Travis remains a force in the paint and around the basket. He’s a constant double-double threat and plays aggressively on both ends of the floor. He may have a stiff challenge against Kwame Alexander in this game, but that should serve to motivate Travis even more.

Stats: 25.6ppg, 13.0rpg, 3.2apg, 2.2spg, 51.0 FG%.

Last game: 27pts, 14rebs, 7asts, 5stls, 1blk, 13/24 FGs.

2. THE MUSCLE MAN

In ALA’s previous win, only one local player was able to score in double-digits, and that was none other than the Muscle Man himself, Vic Manuel. Manuel came off the bench to play 20 minutes, but even in that limited span, he was able to put up good numbers. He dropped 10 points and grabbed rebounds while shooting 5/7 from the field to backstop Travis’s efforts. He will probably have contend with the likes Asi Taulava, Mark Borboran, and Rico Villanueva in this one, but he’s never one to back down.

Stats: 8.2ppg, 3.6rpg, 60.0 FG%

Last game: 10pts, 3rebs, 5/7 FGs.

3. ALASKA: SHARING THE WEALTH

Another big reason ALA was able to pull out a big win over the Hotshots in their last game was playmaking. Travis, Cyrus Baguio, Eric Menk, and Chris Banchero all had at least 3 assists as the Aces showcased great ball movement against a tough PUR side. If ALA can continue playing great team basketball, they will have a strong chance of notching their fifth win against NLX tonight.

Assists: ALA 22, PUR 14

*ALA averages 20.8apg, which 2nd overall behind TNT.

*NLX averaged just 14.4apg, which is 10th just ahead of GLO and MER.

4. TOUGH AS A ROCK

One thing NLX has going for it is man-mountaing Asi Taulava, who was an absolute monster against TNT in the Road Warriors’ last game. The 42-year-old center put up his second double-double of the conference against the Texters. He was efficient on both ends of the court, though NLX still ended up losing. Against a team like ALA, Taulava should continue to bully his way in the paint to help NLX get its 2nd win.

Stats: 14.6ppg, 9.8rpg, 1.2apg, 41.2 FG%

Last game: 25pts, 13rebs, 55.6 FG%

5. KWAME ALEXANDER: SHOOTING WOES

Alexander notched his fifth straight double-double line against TNT in their last game, but even that wasn’t enough to push NLX to a win. Alexander has proven that he can score in bunches, but in that last game, he showed that he could also throw up some bricks. Alexander shot just 9/22 from the floor, the last time he shot below 50% since going 6/16 in his PBA debut. If the Road Warriors are to have a legit shot in this game, Alexander will have to be much more efficient.

Stats: 22.8ppg, 15.8rpg, 1.8apg, 49.4 FG%, 45.5 3pt%

Last game: 22pts, 16rebs, 1ast, 1stl, 1blk, 9/22 FG%, 0/2 3pts

6. MADANLY: THE SYRIAN SNIPER

One guy who hasn’t really been able to get into a groove yet is Syrian star scorer Michel Madanly. Madanly had an auspicious debut scoring 26 markers in just three quarters against Barako Bull, but since then he has been hampered by injury. He broke out in a big way against TNT, though, draining 4 triples on his way to 22 markers and 5 assists, but even then he couldn’t push NLX to a W. Known as one of the deadliest scorers in Asia, Madanly will surely continue playing hard for NLX, and he should be extra motivated going up against Calvin Abueva in this one.

Stats: 14.8ppg, 2.0rpg, 1.8apg, 31.0 3pt%, 39.6 FG%

Last game: 22pts, 2rebs, 5asts, 4/8 3pts, 36.8 FG%

7. KILLED ON THE BOARDS

One big factor that made NLX lose against TNT was the fact the Road Warriors just got killed on the boards. Despite having 2 guys grab a total of 29 rebounds, NLX still got outworked on the glass by the smaller Texters, 52-44. Against a team as scrappy as ALA, NLX will surely have to box out much better.

Rebounding: NLX 44, TNT 52

Taulava – 13rebs

Alexander – 16rebs

Rest of team – 15rebs

8. KEY MATCH-UP: CALVIN ABUEVA X KG CANALETA

One key match-up to look out for in this one is between two talented small forwards — Calvin Abueva and KG Canaleta. Both have been struggling a little bit this conference, with Abueva putting up just 6.8 points per game and shooting just 32.4% from the field, while Canaleta is averaging only 6.6 points per outing and shooting 36.4% from the floor. It will be very interesting who among the two can step up and really help his respective team win. It’ll be a contrast of styles, though, as Abueva loves attacking the basket and hustling for loose balls, while KG appears a bit more patient, waiting for the ball to come his way as he moves to his sweet spots on the perimeter.

Abueva stats: 6.8ppg, 5.4rpg, 1.4apg, 1.2spg, 32.4 FG%

Canaleta stats: 6.6ppg, 3.2rpg, 1.2 triples per game, 36.4 FG%

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