By Jonas Terrado
Game Today
(Cuneta Astrodome)
7 p.m. – Alaska vs Meralco
(Series tied 1-1)
Alaska and Meralco are expected to engage in a dogfight tonight when they seek an all-important 2-1 lead in their best-of-five PBA Governors’ Cup semifinal series at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.
Tipoff is set at 7 p.m. with momentum likely to favor the side of the Aces after ending the Bolts’ remarkable seven-game winning streak dating back to the eliminations with a 100-95 victory two nights ago at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Coach Alex Compton is hoping that the Aces can the same performance few kilometers away from MOA, knowing that the Bolts can easily come back and put another resilient showing that enabled them to survive a 1-6 start in the eliminations.
“I respect the way they’re playing. People should, it’s good basketball,” Compton said. “Hopefully, we can just a play a lot better and find a way to win this thing.”
The Aces responded from a 97-92 loss in Game 1 last Sunday as import Mike Harris kept his dominant play while getting significant contributions from Simon Enciso and Chris Banchero, who appears to have shaken off an ankle injury sustained during the quarterfinals.
But Alaska is keen on being consistent until the buzzer after Meralco was able to cut a 20-point third quarter deficit down to two twice in the final minute before sealing the win by knocking down crucial freethrows in the end.
Coach Norman Black will look to see a more-recharged Meralco side despite the loss and take a crack at moving closer toward a third consecutive trip to the Finals of the season-ending tournament.
“Whether it’s a close game down the stretch, I have no idea,” said Black. “You’ll never know how these ganes will gonna play out but that’s my goal right now. Try to prepare the best I can on what Alaska did against us and make sure my guys are ready to play.”
Black is banking on Allen Durham to perform his normal game in another faceoff with Harris at the paint along with Baser Amer.