Games Today (Smart Araneta Coliseum)
4:15 p.m. – NLEX vs Blackwater
7 p.m. – Alaska vs San Miguel
Manila, Philippines – Alaska gets a chance at nursing its battered pride as the Aces meet Philippine Cup champion San Miguel tonight in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Four weeks ago, the Beermen dealt the Aces a stinging setback after taking the best-of-seven series in style, their first in an all-Filipino conference and their 20th crown overall.
But after that triumphant campaign, the Beermen have been nothing but forgettable, including defeats to two lowly clubs, Kia and Blackwater, for a dreary 0-3 slate.
Alaska, sporting a 1-2 card, doesn’t know if San Miguel will troop to the court parading a new import in the 6-5 Arizona Reid or retaining the services of 6-8 Ronald Roberts Jr.
Roberts, according to Arwind Santos, showed up for practice the last three days and he is unsure if Reid will take his place in the 7 pm encounter.
Roberts hasn’t been doing bad as he has normed 22.6 points a game and 17.6 boards.
There are reports circulating that Reid has already planed in and will help the Beermen get rid of its championship hangover.
In the first game at 5:15, NLEX, another winless squad with a 0-3 ledger, faces Blackwater, whose victory over San Miguel was the club’s first in 15 attempts, stretching back to the last conference where it went 0-11.
While it appears that tonight will be a perfect time to get back at San Miguel, Alaska hasn’t been doing great as well.
The Aces suffered a 22-point trashing from Globalport last week as mainstays Jvee Casio (wrist), Sonny Thoss (foot), Calvin Abueva (knee) and Vic Manuel (knee) failed to play owing to various aches and pains and it remains unclear if they have all recovered from their respective injuries.
But head coach Alex Compton hinted that Abueva are likely to show up and help Alaska regain its bearings.
Meanwhile, Rain or Shine has decided to replace its import Rick Jackson as it recalled Wayne Chism for the second time. Chism, who arrived Sunday night, had his first practice session yesterday.
ROS sports a 3-2 win-loss record after it dealt Purefoods its first defeat this conference after a 4-0 start with a 78-71 victory in the Petron Saturday Special in Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte.
The 6-foot-8 Chism, who averaged 22.7 points and 13.3 rebounds in his first stint with Rain or Shine in this same conference last season, will suit up on Friday when the Painters face the Aces at the Big Dome.