GETTING INTO THE GROOVE
Hobbled by injuries all conference long, Alaska had the chance to correct its early miscues and advance to the quarterfinals coming into Wednesday’s battle versus Barngay Ginebra San Miguel.
In danger of missing the playoffs in case of a loss, the Aces fought for their lives against the Kings, and in the end, won 104-98, with the six-point spread propelling them to the number six spot.
Cyrus Baguio admitted, “Di naman namin inasahan yun pero nagkataon na may chance na pwede kaming manalo by six points. Ang goal lang namin is manalo lang, pero andun na eh. Timeout kami ng timeout para lang makuha namin yung six point lead kasi sayang din yung number six spot eh. Buti nagawa namin.”
Finishing number six meant engaging Purefoods Star in a best-of-three duel rather than be in the precarious position of facing one of the two squads with a twice-to-beat advantage.
Baguio knows it’s not going to be easy going up against the league’s hottest team, but he said, “At least, best-of-three, kaysa twice-to-beat. Pag nagkamali ka, may chance ka pa bumawi.”
And he’s quite satisfied that the Aces are finally getting into the groove, with key players finally returning from sickbay.
“Ngayon, halos wala nang injured. Sa start ng conference, ang daming wala eh. Nahirapan talaga kami makapanalo,” Baguio said. “Etong kumpleto na kami, sana magtuloy-tuloy yung magandang laro namin eh. Kaya naman namin. Positive lang.” (RL)
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