ACES STAKE UNBEATEN SLATE VS GIN KINGS

ALASKA guns for an early 4- 0 start when it meets backtoback defending champion Barangay Ginebra San Miguel tonight in the Philippine Basketball Association Season 43 Governors’ Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Aces test the reigning champions at 6:45 p.m.

Alaska coach Alex Compton, whose team is coming from a 107-98 win over Phoenix recently, knew that they need to be in tip-top condition to overcome the Gin Kings.

“Ginebra, which just won a championship, is the defending champion of this conference, with the best import and a very, very high IQ team,” Compton told TheManila

Times through a text message. “They may be coming from winning a championship. But without question, they are the team to beat this conference.”

“We will need to be great and focused if we want to do that.”

Alaska’s killer trapping defense and solid offense towed them to three straight wins with import Mike Harris, Vic Manuel and Simon Enciso doing the damage against their rivals.

Harris, a former National Basketball Association Player, is averaging 19.5 points, 19.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists in the first three games.

Surprisingly, Alaska got an offensive load also from Noy Baclao in last game after erupting 15 points, grabbed seven rebounds and blocked two shots against Phoenix.

Fresh from a 96-84 opening win against the Columbian Dyip last Friday, Ginebra (1-0 win-loss record) is determined to deal Alaska its first loss.

Last conference Best Import Justin Brownlee provided the spark in that game, scoring 14 of his 34 points in the last quarter in addition to his 21 rebounds, five assists, three steals and three blocks.

Scottie Thompson contributed 10 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists, while Greg Slaughter had 14 points and nine rebounds in that game too.

“Let’s see how much energy we have against Alaska on Sunday and that’s a big question mark for us,” said Ginebra coach Tim Cone. GAMES TODAY (Araneta) 4:30 p.m. - Columbian Dyip vs TNT 6:45 p.m. Alaska vs Ginebra