Tough challenge ahead as Ginebra, Alaska clash
One team has been underachieving for years now. The other has been a heartbreak kid in four finals in the last five conferences.
Both are aching to come out and get going as Barangay Ginebra and Alaska Milk clash in their quarterfinals matchup in the PBA Governors Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Friday night.
In narrowly missing playoff top seeding then eventually settling for third, the Kings need one win to earn a berth in the semifinals – a spot they have never been since the 2013-14 Philippine Cup.
As the No. 6 seed, the Aces, on the other hand, must win two in a row to gain a crack at a fourth straight finale and fifth in the last six conferences.
Both sides see a tough challenge.
“This is a great challenge for us. Ginebra has earned the twice to beat advantage and we have to find a way to overcome that. The only way to overcome that is to first do everything possible to win (Friday),” said Alaska coach Alex Compton.
“I think they are a good team and I think we are a good team. So I expect a great game for the PBA fans. Hopefully, we can force another game Sunday,” Compton added.
Ginebra coach Tim Cone said Alaska can never be counted out despite its twice-to-win disadvantage.
But truly, Alaska is a tested competitor with a momentum to ride on in the playoffs.
The Aces overcame a scrambling 1-4 start and finished sixth in the elims on a blazing 5-1 windup.
“Of all the teams in the lower four, Alaska is the last team we would choose to play. After a tough start, they have righted themselves nicely and are playing their dynamic game again,” said Cone.
“We just have to make sure we don’t allow them to disrupt too much what we like to do. No doubt, we have the toughest road to the semis, but we like the challenge in front of us,” Cone also said.
Curiously, in their tough start, the Aces scored their lone win at the expense of the Kings – 109-100 in overtime.
The Aces have also beat the Kings in their last two playoff showdowns.
But the Kings are looking well formidable as of late, with the rookies and import Justin Brownlee
complementing one another.
Brownlee averages 30.4 points, 12.3 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.3 blocks. Ginebra locals averaging double-digit outputs are Japeth Aguilar (15.3), LA Tenorio (13.6) and Sol Mercado (11.4).
LaDontae Henton, meanwhile, submits 31.9 points, 11.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.3 blocks a game for Alaska. Others with double-digit norms are Calvin Abueva (14.5) and RJ Jazul (11.3).
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