#PBA2015 GOVS CUP PREVIEW: ALASKA ACES vs BARAKO BULL ENERGY – TUSSLE AT THE TOP

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ALA & BAR are currently tied at second place with identical 6-2 marks. The Aces are coming off back-to-back wins, while the Energy are coming off a shock loss to the Kia Carnival. Needless to say, this is a big game for both teams. Whoever wins gets to tie SMB at first place and whoever loses drops to solo third.

ALA needs this win to solidify its place in the top two of the standings while also extending its winning run. Their next opponent is SMB, so they’ll need all the momentum they can get heading into that pivotal encounter. The thing is, BAR seems to have ALA’s number this season as the Aces have lost twice to the Energy.

BAR, meanwhile, needs to regain its form after losing to the Carnival. The Energy didn’t look energetic in that game, and they missed a ton of shots. Prior to that Kia game, BAR was averaging 108.4 points per game, but KIA held them to just 68 in their match. That’s just unacceptable for BAR, and they will need to find a way to regain their sharp offensive form else they stand to lose back-to-back games.

Previous results:
PHL Cup
BAR beat ALA, 85-78

COMM Cup
BAR beat ALA, 93-91 (OT)

1. RAVISHING ROMEO
   Romeo Travis is coming off a great game against MER. He put up another double-double and bounced back nicely after struggling against Kia. If Travis can continue scoring at will and dominating the rebound battle, ALA should be in great shape here.

vs KIA: 14pts, 10rebs, 3asts, 1stl, 6/14 FGs
vs MER: 24pts, 18rebs, 4asts, 1stl, 2blks, 8/14 FGs

2. POWER PGS: CASIO & BANCHERO
   The playmaking duo of JV Casio and Chris Banchero also did well in ALA’s last game, combining for 21 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists. If both guys can continue putting up solid numbers, they will give fits to BAR’s own PGs, namely RR Garcia and Chico Lanete.

Casio vs MER: 11pts, 4rebs, 4asts, 5/6 FGs
Banchero vs MER: 10pts, 5rebs, 4/4 FTs

3. CALVIN ABUEVA: DOING THE DIRTY WORK
   Abueva struggled to score against MER, shooting just 3/11 from the field, but he more than made up for it by cleaning the glass (6 offensive boards), handing out assists, and playing great defense. If The Beast can put the clamps on BAR’s wingmen here, the Aces will have a clear advantage.

vs MER: 8pts, 9 rebs, 3asts, 2blks, 1stl, 3/11 FGs.

4. TURNOVER TROUBLES
   One wrinkle for ALA in their win over MER was their committing 20 turnovers. That’s mainly because of MER’s 10 steals, but many of those TOs were also because of carelessness. If ALA wants to ensure they win this game, they will need to minimize their turnovers.

vs MER: 20 turnovers
Travis – 5
Banchero – 3
Hontiveros – 3

5. OH NO MCMORROW!
   Maybe the biggest reason BAR lost to KIA was import Liam McMorrow’s lackadaisical play. The Ontario native played his worst game so far in the PBA against KIA, putting up season-lows in points and FG shooting. Needless to say, he will need to bounce back big time here against ALA.

Stats before KIA game: 29.3ppg, 23.6rpg, 65.4 FG%
vs KIA: 12pts, 16rebs, 5/12 FGs (41.7%)

6. BRICK BY BORING BRICK
   McMorrow’s woes were compounded by the fact that, as a team, BAR shot poorly — just 36% from the floor and 17.6% from beyond the arc. Those are well below the team’s averages. BAR really put up bricks in that game, and they will need to rediscover their fine shooting form if they want to bounce back here.

Before KIA Game: 108.3ppg, 45.2 FG%, 34.0 3pt%, 7.1 triples per game
vs KIA: 68pts, 36.0 FG%, 17.6 3pt%, 3 triples only

7. YEO PUTS UP ZERO
   Typifying BAR’s offensive troubles was star guard Joseph Yeo, who for the first time this conference, put up a big fat egg in the scoring column. Yeo missed all 11 of his shots and even turned the ball over 2 times. He has to bounce back strong here if BAR is to remain among the league leaders.

Before KIA Game: 16.3ppg, 4.9apg, 1.9 triples per game, 45.3 FG%
KIA Game: 0pts, 4asts, 0 triples, 0/11 FGs

8. KEY MATCH-UP: CALVIN ABUEVA VS JC INTAL
   One key match-up here is between forwards Abueva and Intal. Abueva weaves his magic on the defensive end, getting in opponents’ heads and hounding them on D, while Intal has been very active offensively, showing renewed vigor in putting points on the board. It will be contrasting styles, but it will be interesting to see who is able to play better and help his team get the W.

Abueva stats: 7.0ppg, 7.3rpg, 2.1apg, 31.7 FG%
Intal stats: 11.5ppg, 7.4rpg, 1.9apg, 1.5spg, 1.5 triples per game, 30.0 3pt%, 36.7 FG%

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