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Alaska returns to action vs Blackwater
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Alaska Aces vs Blackwater Elite. photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Alaska sets out on its road to redemption when it opens up its PBA Commissioner’s Cup campaign against Blackwater Friday at Mall of Asia Arena.
A win as expected by the Aces would serve them in good stead, helping overcome the pain of blowing a 3-0 best-of-seven lead and, ultimately, the Philippine Cup title to last year’s tormentor San Miguel Beer.
But Blackwater should not be the patsy it has been in its first three conferences in the league, as proven by its first-ever quarterfinals stint in the Philippine Cup and its 110-102 win over Mahindra last Valentine’s Day.
For sure, coach Leo Isaac’s sights are trained on steering his Elite to another milestone.
“Against Alaska, we will play our very best to get another win,” said Isaac. “Hopefully, our win against Mahindra has boosted our confidence and level of play for us to register our very first back-to-back wins in the PBA.”
Alaska coach Alex Compton knows his team’s work is cut out for it against the Elite.
“Coach Leo and Blackwater have really done an excellent job in building their team,” noted Compton.
“Carlo Lastimosa has emerged as one of the league’s top scorers, Art dela Cruz is a rookie who is playing like a veteran, Reil Cervantes has great capacity as a scorer and they have a top-rate veteran point guard in Mike Cortez leading these guys and the rest of their players,” Compton added.
Indeed, Lastimosa has so far been averaging 32.5 points in Blackwater’s first two games with Cervantes usually good for 19.5 ppg and Dela Cruz 15. Cortez is scoring at only a 9.5 ppg clip but is the top assists man with 7.0 an outing.
Then there is also MJ Rhett to think about as the 23-year-old bounced back from a 16-point, seven-rebound debut in a 102-108 loss to Tropang TNT by notching 19 and 18 against Mahindra.
“Their import is figuring out how to play and is a good fit for their team,” said Compton.
“We will have to be phenomenal defensively if we want to win this game.”
Alaska’s advantage lies in the fact Rob Dozier is on his third tour of duty here and is very familiar, not only with Compton’s system but also his local teammates led by Calvin Abueva, Vic Manuel, JV Casio and Sonny Thoss.
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EDITORS' PICK
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