Meralco faces tough test vs Alaska
With an added artillery in Ed Daquiaog, the Meralco Bolts have hurdled two tough challenges so far in the NLEX Road Warriors and the TNT KaTropa Texters.
Now comes Alaska Milk that will test Meralco’s ability to play against a quick, fast team.
Meralco and Alaska square off at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum with the Bolts — the Governors Cup runners-up — seeking a third straight win and a share of the lead in the PBA Philippine Cup.
“Limiting turnovers versus their pressure defense and controlling our defensive rebounds will be the keys to the game for us,” said Meralco coach Norman Black.
Daquiaog put in topnotch showing as the Bolts whipped the Road Warriors, 106-93, then tripped the Texters, 98-87, after a losing season debut against the Blackwater Elite.
In their first three games, Daquiaog emerged as Meralco’s leading scorer with an average of 17.3 points. Chris Newsome, the Rookie ofthe Year last season, was a close second with 16.67 points per game.
Then there’s Cliff Hodge who is delivering solid all-around numbers.
“Meralco has moved into the upper echelon of the PBA. They are well coached, playing well, are big, and have added in talented wingmen,” said Alaska coach Alex Compton.
“This game will be a particular challenge for us as they are so deep at the 4/5 spot while both of our centers are still injured. Big things for us in this game will be whether or not we can defend the
entire play including offensive rebounds,” Compton also said.
“They are plus-12 in rebounding, and with one of the best rebounders in Cliff Hodge playing 3 mostly now instead of 4, we have got to be at our scrappiest,” Compton added.
The Aces will still have a deep hole in the middle on the sidelining of Sonny Thoss and Noy Baclao.
A big boost, though, was Calvin Abueva’s swashbuckling comeback in their last game.
Abueva delivered a sterling double-double game in his return from an injury, leading Alaska Milk to a first win in the season with a come-from-behind 95-84 triumph over the erstwhile unbeaten GlobalPort side a week ago.
Abueva, finally back from a quadriceps problem, piled up 22 points and 11 rebounds in a stirring debut in PBA Season 42 highlighted by a crucial 15-point explosion at endgame.
Jvee Casio also stepped up in the crunch, scoring 12 of his 15 in the last four minutes as the Aces finally got over the hump, notching a first win after successive losses to the NLEX Road Warriors and the San Miguel Beermen.
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