By JONAS TERRADO
Games Today
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
4:30 p.m. – Alaska vs NLEX
6:45 p.m. – Ginebra vs TNT
Streaking Alaska looks to formalize its entry to the quarterfinals against a rejuvenated NLEX squad while Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and TNT KaTropa eye crucial wins that will enhance their own playoff bids today in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Aces go for their seventh straight win after a 0-2 start while gaining an inside track at a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarters in the 4:30 p.m. duel with the Road Warriors, who two nights ago escaped with an 87-85 victory over the Meralco Bolts on Kiefer Ravena’s game-winning shot.
But the curtain raiser will likely be overshadowed by the 6:45 p.m. meeting between crowd-favorite Ginebra and TNT, sharing identical 4-4 slates. Both teams hope to use the match as a springboard to make a late surge in the elimination round of the season-opening conference.
Alaska seeks to continue its impressive run that saw coach Alex Compton’s charges go unbeaten since the start of 2018 behind Vic Manuel, Calvin Abueva, Chris Banchero, Sonny Thoss and rookie Jeron Teng.
“I’m very happy obviously with how we’re playing and the results in 2018, but we haven’t won anything yet,” said Compton, perhaps wary that the Aces can easily get back to their bad habits that resulted in a 14-game skid last season.
“We still have to get better. I think all the other teams are getting better too,” added Compton as Alaska braces for a strong challenge from an NLEX team that won its last two games.
The Road Warriors’ latest win came after Ravena scored seven of the team’s last nine points, including a turnaround shot off former Ateneo teammate Chris Newsome with 0.9 seconds left.
NLEX improved to 5-4 to remain inside the top eight of the quarters race, though coach Yeng Guiao said that the tough road still lies ahead.
“Pahirap ng pahirap ang laro,” he said. “After a hard game like this, it’s really hard to recover. You have one day to prepare but that’s the way it is. It’s another hard game against a team that’s been playing well in Alaska.”
Meanwhile, LA Tenorio said Ginebra is treating its remaining matches in the elims as if the playoffs had already began, especially after a string of dismal performances.
“You can’t afford to make mistakes or let go of one possession so it’s really important for us to be in a playoff mentality,” Tenorio said after Wednesday’s 103-77 rout of Kia at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Kings coach Tim Cone hopes to capitalize on the perceived advantage his team has with Greg Slaughter, Tenorio,
Scottie Thompson and Japeth Aguilar with the KaTropa still smarting from a heartbreaking 74-72 setback to the Phoenix Fuel Masters.
Worse, TNT is likely to miss Troy Rosario after suffering a cut on his chin following a hard fall in the fourth quarter against Phoenix. The 6-foot-7 standout was discharged from the hospital recently after test results came out negative but is scheduled to undergo a checkup tomorrow.