Alaska, Ginebra hope to extend respective streaks
Alaska Milk, on a roll in winning its last two games, and Barangay Ginebra, perked up by a rout of Mahindra the last time out, clash in an exciting Sunday showdown, both gunning for a share of fourth place nearing the halfway mark of the PBA Philippine Cup eliminations.
In a heavy logjam with Meralco and Star in the middle of the pack at 2-2, the Aces and the Gin Kings clash at 6:45 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, with the winner moving up to joint fourth with Blackwater and TNT KaTropa at 3-2.
The Aces ride the momentum of back-to-back wins over the Globalport Batang Pier (95-84) and the Meralco Bolts (81-79) while the Kings set out for the battle inspired by their 89-70 conquest of the Mahindra Floodbuster.
“I expect this to be one of the more exciting games for PBA fans to watch at this point in the season. Ginebra is playing great and with their tremendous level of talent and great coaching, they are back as a premier team in the league,” said Alaska coach Alex Compton.
“We will play Alaska basketball for 48 minutes, pressing and playing hard until the buzzer sounds. Hopefully, the fans enjoy a great game,” Compton also said.
The Kings are determined to build on their 19-point drubbing of the Floodbuster in a bid to chalk up a first successive victories in the season.
“We’re still looking for that elusive rhythm that we keep talking about. We know we’ll get it at some point and we’ll get things going, but it won’t happen on its own,” said Ginebra coach Tim Cone.
The brilliant Ginebra coach said they’re struggling as they are trying some new strategies.
“We’re exploring. Our philosophies are changing a bit, and we’re struggling with it,” Cone said.
Cone hopes they get going as they play their first back-to-back games in the tourney.
On Friday, Ginebra broke loose from a tight game in the second half en route to the win over Mahindra that
allowed the Kings to hit the .500 mark with a 2-2 slate.
“In the second half, we got something good going, and it opened opportunity for our young guys,” said Cone.
Meanwhile, Alaska essayed the most spectacular comeback win in the season thus far in their 81-79 topping of Meralco Wednesday.
The Aces fought hard for each possession, made stops then converted treys in a fightback from a nine-point deficit in the last two minutes. Jvee Casio, RJ Jazul and Chris Banchero fired the three-pointers that highlighted the come-from-behind triumph.
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