Manila, Philippines – After that 51-point defeat of Alaska against Rain or Shine the other night, San Mig Super Coffee coach Tim Cone said they are enticing danger if they are thinking it will be easy beating the Aces.
Cone, after all, believes in the saying that ‘a man’s true character is revealed in defeat.’
That may be the case when defending champion and Grand Slam seeking San Mig plays Alaska in a crucial tiff in the PBA PLDT Home Telpad Governors’ Cup today at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.
The match between the Mixers and the Aces is scheduled at 8 p.m., after the 5:45 p.m. encounter between Globalport and Talk ’N Text, which will parade yet another import this conference in former reinforcement Paul Harris.
The Tropang Texters first played with NBA veteran Othyus Jeffers. But following Othyus’ contract problem with previous employer Minnesota Timberwolves, TNT tabbed Rodney Carney – also a one-time NBA campaigner.
Despite helping TNT to a 3-0 record, Carney averaged just 17.67 points and 3.67 rebounds, prompting Talk ’N Text to call in Harris, who played twice for the Texters including a successful stint when he powered the team to the 2011 Commissioner’s Cup title.
Talk ’N Text, currently tied for the lead with Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and San Mig Coffee with 4-1 cards, will face a Globalport side (1-4) aiming to stop a three-game skid.
Focus though is on the game featuring San Mig and Alaska – the first time the two teams will meet since the Mixers defeated the Aces, 2-1, in the quarterfinal series of the previous Commissioner’s Cup.
San Mig is on a roll, winning its last three games, first against Meralco (108-90), followed by a come-from-behind victory over Globalport (92-82) and then against Barangay Ginebra (102-90).
Cone’s team will also come into the game fresh from a four-day rest, giving them a slight advantage against the weary – and probably groggy – Aces who were beaten black-and-blue by RoS.
“We’ll just go back to work, watch the film, break down the plays,” said Alaska mentor Alex Compton.
“Get ready for that weak team that struggled the last three conferences,” added Compton, who of course was jokingly referring to San Mig, champions in the last three conferences.
The setback was Alaska’s third under Compton, and the Aces are now 2-4. (Waylon Galvez)