Middling PBA teams eye winning return
THE Alaska Aces and Star Hotshots, two teams perched in the middle of the standings in the ongoing PBA Philippine Cup, play their first game of the new year, eyeing a victory to set their push in the windup of the elimination round going.
Currently joint seventh with a 3-3 record with five games each in their classification assignments, Alaska and Star face off in the main game today at 7 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Both teams are out to bounce back after losing in their previous games.
The Aces bowed to TNT KaTropa, 109100, in their final game of 2016 on Dec. 23.
Against TNT, Alaska struggled, trailing its opponent throughout the contest.
Forward Calvin Abueva had a solid double-double of 18 points and 12 rebounds, to go along with four assists, two steals and a block. But it was not enough to tow his team and extend their winning streak which stood at three straight prior to the loss.
Vic Manuel had 16 markers, Kevin Racal had 14 and Chris Banchero 12 in a losing cause.
Alaska coach Alex Compton rued the way they were outplayed in said game, saying “They (TNT) deserved the win.”
Just the same, Mr. Compton said he welcomes the overall effort his team is showing in the season-opening Philippine Basketball Association conference even sans big men Noy Baclao and Sonny Thoss who are out because of injuries.
WIN STREAK ENDS
Also saw their winning streak end at three in their last game and out to win anew is Star.
The Hotshots fell to sister team Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings, 86-79, in their “Manila Clasico” on Christmas Day at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan, which effectively halted their roll under new coach Chito Victolero.
Paul Lee is pacing the Hotshots with averages of 15.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists while Allein Maliksi is chipping in 11.5 points per game.
Rookie Jio Jalalon has been good for 11 ppg, 5.7 rpg and 4 apg, with veteran Mark Pingris steady for 10.8 ppg and 8.5 rpg.
Aldrech Ramos is the other Star player scoring in double figures with 10.8 points a game on top of 5.2 rebounds.
Preceding the Alaska- Star encounter is the match between tailenders Meralco Bolts ( 2- 5) and Mahindra Floodbuster ( 1- 5) at 4:15 p.m.
The Bolts have lost four straight matches while the Floodbuster finally notched their first win in the tournament in their last game.
Meanwhile, San Miguel Beermen guard Alex Cabagnot was named PBA player of the week after helping his team to a 2-0 record last week.
The 34-year-old Cabagnot, who incidentally is wearing a mask after breaking his nose in their final game in 2016, averaged 15 points, 4.5 rebounds and three assists in their wins over Blackwater Elite last Friday and Barangay Ginebra on Sunday.
In winning the weekly award, Mr. Cabagnot beat teammates Arwind Santos and June Mar Fajardo, Rain or Shine Elastopainters’ Jericho Cruz, NLEX Road Warriors’ Carlo Lastimosa and GlobalPort Batang Pier’s Terrence Romeo. —