#PBA2015 PREVIEW: ALASKA ACES vs GINEBRA GIN KINGS – BATTLE FOR SURVIVAL
Only one game separates the Aces and Kings right now, with the Aces needing to win to survive and make the quarterfinals, while the Kings need a win to have a shot at a “lighter” assignment in the next round. A loss for the Aces almost nearly means they will get the boot, while a loss for Ginebra means they might fall into a twice-to-win disadvantage against one of the top two clubs.
Here are some things to watch in this game:
- MAN IN THE MIDDLE: THOSS VS SLAUGHTER
One big match-up in this game is between the big guys in the middle — Sonny Thoss and Greg Slaughter. The veteran Thoss has been the league’s premier local big man for the better part of the last ten years, but he has been inconsistent of late. Slaughter, meanwhile, has been having a superb sophomore season after annexing the ROY last year. Whoever plays better should give his team a huge lift.
Thoss Comm Cup stats: 7.5ppg, 4.8rpg, 50.0 FG%
Slaughter Comm Cup stats: 17.1ppg, 10.0rpg, 1.9apg, 52.3 FG%
- ABUEVA: BEASTING AND FEASTING
Calvin Abueva had a heated exchange with TNT import Ivan Johnson in their last game, which is a bit of a shame because he played well. Still, despite his “explosive” behavior, Abueva remains maybe the best pure small forward in the league, and if he is on beast mode Wednesday night, he may just feast on the Gin Kings.
Comm Cup stats: 10.2ppg, 6.6rpg, 1.8apg, 45.0 FG%
vs TNT: 16pts, 7rebs, 2asts, 2stls, 1blk, 50.0 FG%
- HONTIVEROS: THE SOUTHERN HOTSHOT
One guy who did pretty well in ALA’s last game was Dondon Hontiveros. The Cebuano Hotshot drained three triples on his way to 11 markers. This he did in just 20 minutes of play. If he can be on the floor longer (he had foul trouble then), and he shoots well again, ALA has a great chance in this game.
Comm Cup stats: 8.6ppg, 2.3rpg, 37.2 3pt%, 35.3 FG%
vs TNT: 11pts, 3rebs, 1ast, 1stl, 3 triples
- CASIO: LACKING SURPRISE
JV Casio, for his part, had a relatively good outing against TNT. The former Gilas PG has struggled this conference, but his 10-point outing against TNT should bode well for Aces fans. If he can rediscover his fine form, Alaska should be in great shape to be a playoff surprise spoiler.
Comm cup stats: 4.3ppg, 1.5rpg, 2.0apg, 18.2 3pt%, 23.1 FG%
vs TNT: 10pts, 1reb, 1ast, 1 triple, 33.3 FG%
- BAGUIO: SKYRUS STRIKES
ALA may have lost to TNT in its previous game, but Baguio sure came to play. The All-Star wingman hit 2/2 triples on his way to 10 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block. And, get this, he did all that in just 18 minutes of play. Now that’s efficiency. If he can play as efficiently against GIN, the Aces have a prime chance to pull off an upset.
Comm Cup stats: 9.1ppg, 3.3rpg, 1.8apg, 1.8spg, 27.5mpg
vs TNT: 10pts, 8rebs, 2asts, 1blk, 2 triples, 18min
- CAGUIOA: FURIOUS PERFORMANCE
On GIN’s end, one guy who stepped up in their previous game was veteran Mark Caguioa. The 35 year old SG played inspired basketball against the Batang Pier, giving young gun Terrence Romeo all he could handle. This was great because Caguioa was also coming off two lackluster games against NLX & ROS. If The Spark can summon the same degree of productivity against ALA, the Aces will be in trouble.
Comm Cup stats: 10.5ppg, 4.3rpg, 1.8apg, 44.1 FG%
vs GLO: 15pts, 2rebs, 2asts, 1stl, 42.9 FG%
- TENORIO: ALWAYS STEADY
Another player who played a major role in GIN’s latest win was LA Tenorio. The former Ateneo floor general may not have scored in bunches against GLO, but he more than made up for it with great rebounding and heady playmaking. He hauled down 4 rebounds and handed out 7 assists in that game while also turning the ball over just once. If that same level of efficiency will be on display against ALA, then the Aces’ guards will have a long game.
Comm Cup stats: 10.8ppg, 3.6rpg, 4.3apg, 2.2TOpg, 1.2 triples per game
vs GLO: 8pts, 4rebs, 7asts, 1 TO, 2 triples
- URBIZTONDO: THE FIREBALL
The Fireball, Josh Uribiztondo, lived up to his name and, indeed, caught fire against GLO, draining 3 treys on his way to a season-high 11 points. The journeyman PG added 4 boards and 2 dimes to his name as he proved to be a great back-up at the guard spot to Emman Monfort and Tenorio. If he can be a catalyst off the bench again, then the Gin Kings shouldn’t have much trouble countering Alaska’s own corps of fiery guards.
Comm Cup stats: 5.5ppg, 3.3rpg, 2.0apg, 1.5 triples per game
vs GLO: 11pts, 4rebs, 2asts, 3 triples
- MARQUEE MATCH-UP: DAMION JAMES VS MIKE DUNIGAN
Without a doubt, the main match-up in this one will be between imports Damion James and Mike Dunigan. In a game with huge implications, the onus will be on these two guys to really deliver and push their teams to victory. So far, James has the better all-around numbers, but it remains to be seen if he can produce at a high level against GIN’s big and bruising frontline. If James can light it up, ALA has the edge, but if the Kings’ bigs can neutralize him somewhat, then GIN should be in good shape.
James season stats: 28.2ppg, 15.5rpg, 2.5apg, 2.0spg, 1.7bpg, 2.0 triples per game, 38.6 FG%
Dunigan season stats: 23.2ppg, 12.6rpg, 2.0apg, 1.1spg, 1.5bpg, 41.8 FG%
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer & other 70+ titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download as early as 4am & share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.
