Rejuvenated Aces put defense to test against Beermen tonight
Alaska coach Jeffrey Cariaso credits his team’s resurgence in the PBA Philippine Cup to its reinvigorated intensity on defense.
“When we l ost t o Meralco we went back to basics,” said Cariaso, referring to the game when his Aces last tasted a bitter defeat.
“We talked about our defense. We talked about how to improve on it,” added Cariaso. “We want to have that understanding that going to every game our defensive mind- set must be strong.... The emphasis was really on our defense.”
That tenacity would be put to yet another test when Alaska collides with defending champion San Miguel Beer at 6: 45 p. m. today at the Smart 5G- powered AUF Sports Arena in Angeles City.
The Aces hope to run their winning streak to four straight, a no mean feat for the same team that got off to a 0-2 start after losing a key cog in Kevin Racal to a torn ACL right on their very first game.
The Beermen have also s eemingly made their own adjustments on not only playing minus six- time MVP June Mar Fajardo, but also Terrence Romeo, who suffered a dislocated shoulder early in the course of their 88107 blowout loss to TNT last Friday.
Proof of t hat was SMB’s 105- 98 conquest of Terrafirma last Monday, snapping it out of a twogame slide in the bubble and putting it right in the middle of the standings.
Cariaso knows fully well his team has another tough work cut out for it.
“Tomorrow’s ( today) game will be a different challenge on its own,” said Cariaso on the eve of the match.
“First, SMB will showcase their experience and heart despite being without Romeo and JMF. They still have lots of talent there and we expect them to be at their best,” added Cariaso.
Cariaso’s assessment stems mainly from Mo Tautuaa atoning f or a dismal game against TNT to fill the stats sheet with 25 points, six rebounds and three assists while Arwind Santos and Marcio Lassiter led those who shared the load with the former notching a doubledouble of 20 points and 14 rebounds.
But there’s another source of concern f or Cariaso, whose team would be playing its fourth game since last Saturday.
“Recovery and focus will be part of the challenge we face,” stated Cariaso. “All t eams are going through the same schedule naman so no excuses on our end.” —