TEST OF METTLE
IT CERTAINLY looks like Alaska has steadied itself up following a shaky start in the PLDT Home Tvolution PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
Whether the Aces would continue on the right track toward their title-retention bid would be known Wednesday when they take on dangerous Barako Bull at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Alaska is looking for a third straight win that would give it at least a continued share of fourth-running spot. But coach Luigi Trillo knows the task is easier said than done, especially against a tough-as-nails Energy crew.
“Barako’s record is not a reflection of how good they are playing,” said Trillo. “They always play hard and until the end.”
For sure, Barako intends to stay on the same stay-close-and-wait-to-pounce mode since a win will boost it up from its current tie for eighth and enhance its chances of making the eight-team quarterfinals following the nine-game eliminations.
“Them being the defending champion we have to step up and keep our focus,” said Energy coach Bong Ramos.
Barako is itself coming off a 92-90 win over San Mig Super Coffee Tuesday last week, snapping it out of a three-game slide which saw it lose to pre-tourney favorites Talk N Text and San Miguel Beer by an average of just 5.5 points.
In their conference debut, the Energy dropped a four-point overtime decision to Barangay Ginebra and Trillo is well aware of the reason why Ramos and his charges are proving to be a handful.
“(Josh) Dollard seems like he is the best scorer out there. Willie Miller is a hard matchup. They also have a lot of guys who can explode like (Mick) Pennisi, (Ronjay) Buenafe and (JC) Intal,” enumerated Trillo.
“They love mixing up defenses to get the other team thinking.”
An 89-78 win over SMB last Saturday in Binan, Laguna, made possible by the 20 points and 21 rebounds of Rob Dozier, plus the sterling support provided by Cyrus Baguio, Jayvee Casio and RJ Jazul should ease some of Trillo’s concerns. But not much.
“I see that we can be much better in taking care of the ball. We had 21 turnovers (versus SMB). We still have to work on a ton of things as we are still far from how we want to be playing come the playoffs,” said Trillo.
Ramos is only full of appreciation for Alaska’s progress and knows exactly what his team must do. “You can see that they are improving as a team and they are fluid offensively,” he said of the Aces.
“We have to continue playing tough and keep the game close. Every game is crucial and we really need to win.” (NC)
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