Aces take on Hotshots in Davao
PBA IMAGES
Alaska Milk tries to hang on in the battle for the Top Two while Star looks to stay within striking distance of the frontrunners as the two teams clash in a crucial Petron Blaze Saturday Special at the USEP Gym in Davao City.
The Aces gun for a sixth win in nine outings while the Hotshots shoot for a fifth victory against the same number of losses in their 5 p.m. tiff – the last road show in the Oppo PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
Both teams are out to get back on the winning track as the Aces have lost their last two games while the Hotshots dropped their last outing against the San Miguel Beermen.
Star’s game versus San Miguel was very costly, seeing the ouster of James Yap on a calf strain.
Yap hobbled to their bench in the third quarter of their match against San Miguel.
He’s diagnosed to have suffered a calf strain that would take at least three weeks to heal.
“Bad break as the tourney is now into the homestretch,” rued Yap.
Star has moved out of the Magic Eight following a 98-117 drubbing by San Miguel.
Star coach Jason Webb, however, remains hopeful they can salvage a spot in the quarterfinals and improve on their poor ninth-place finish in the recent Philippine Cup.
“We’re right behind the Top Eight at maglalaban-laban pa naman sila,” said Webb. “We still have a chance although it’s a bit tough now.”
In the absence of Yap, the Hotshots will miss his leadership and his averages of 10.7 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.7 assists.
But Yap himself is still optimistic.
“Nandyan naman ang mga teammates ko. I believe in them,” he said.
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