COLLISION COURSE FOR ACES, CARNIVAL
Alaska and Kia have just hit a major bump on their route to the PBA Governors’ Cup playoffs.
Which team gets back on track right away would be known Friday when the Aces and Carnival clash at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in a match that should prove to be crucial in the protagonists’ bid to not only make the quarterfinals but also where they wind up.
“Game tomorrow is very important for us, kasi nga dikit-dikit na iyung standing and we need to go up para naman may chance kami sa next stage,” said Chito Victolero, calling the shots for Kia in lieu of playing coach Manny Pacquiao.
For sure, Alaska coach Alex Compton knows his team is in for a long night against a Kia squad that has shown marked improvement from the mere expansion team that started the season.
“Right now Kia is the best defensive team in the league and if I could vote for the best coach over the past two conferences I’d vote for Chito Victolero,” said Compton. “He is doing a phenomenal job and they are playing some of the best basketball in the league right now.”
The urgency in the Carnival camp is also heightened by the fact they are coming off an 80-89 loss to defending champion Star last Saturday in Angeles City, when their fightback from as much as a 17-point deficit fell short.
The same is true for Alaska, which failed to hold on to a pair of 13-point third quarter leads against NLEX. The Aces kept within 96-99, but uncharacteristically went 2-for-9 from the field and committed two turnovers in the homestretch.
Victolero knows Alaska, which boasts of Romeo Travis, Jayvee Casio, Cyrus Baguio and Chris Banchero, will be chomping at the bits to rebound in the 4:15 p.m. match.
“We know Alaska will come out strong kasi galing din sila sa talo. But we’re ready,” said the former Mapua star and coach. “We prepared hard for this game, especially iyung defense namin need to tighten. And we need to start strong kasi iyung problema namin last game medyo malaki agad ang lamang sa amin.”
Compton knows Kia has the tools, led by imports Hamady N’Diaye (15 points, 16 rebounds, 5.40 blocks per game) of Senegal and Jet Chang (16.2 points) of Taiwan.
“N’Diaye is a dominant force on defense and LA Revilla is playing like one of the best point guards in the entire PBA. Jet Chang has been a huge pickup and Alex Nuyles is really displaying his talent,” noted Compton.
“We will have our hands full.” (NC)
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