Alaska and Meralco both aim to sustain their charge and be with the frontrunners as they face off in the initial Tuesday double-header in the season-ending PBA Governors’ Cup.
The Aces and the Bolts, scratching and clawing in the middle of the pack, clash at 7:30 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, both eying a third win and a solid spot in the Top Four near the midpoint of the short elimination phase.
“We could easily be 1-2 or 3-0. We started out okay but, in our past two games, we gave up an average of 36 points in the third quarter. We need to be better if we want to have a chance at that Top Four Incentive,” said Alaska coach Luigi Trillo.
“Halfway mark of a short elimination round and it’s important to be above .500. We are 2-2 now, our goal is to find ways to compete and win against a solid Alaska Aces team,” said Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio.
It could be a defensive battle with the Aces out to neutralize Mario West and the Bolts believing playing good “D” is their only way to compete.
“Mario West was a beast in their last game,” noted Trillo, adding the Meralco coach has gotten his team fighting hard despite their injury woes.
“Just like the way we won against Petron and Talk n Text, defense will be our focal point,” said Gregorio. “Alaska is such a well coached and very disciplined team, we must search for ways to get them out of their comfort level.”
After being upset by GlobalPort, Alaska bounced back with stirring wins over Rain or Shine and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.
Meralco currently totes an even 2-2 card with victories over Petron and Talk n Text and losses to Barako Bull and Ginebra.
The Aces obviously have got a more formidable lineup, and the Bolts have to raise the level of their game if they’re to keep up with Wendell McKines and his teammates.
“It’s not going to be an easy task but definitely doable,” said Gregorio. “Battle them on every possession, dive for every available ball and gang-rebound to offset their height and heft advantage. These are the basic elements that we must do to increase our chances of winning.” (SB)
Source: http://pba.inquirer.net/29885/aces-bolts-jockey-for-top-4-spot
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