Pacesetting Phoenix wary of motivated NLEX squad

Games today (MOA Arena) 4:30 p.m. – Phoenix Pulse vs NLEX 7 p.m. – Rain or Shine vs NorthPort

Pacesetting Phoenix Pulse presses its drive with caution tonight versus the NLEX squad tipped to fight all out in an effort dedicated to fallen player Kevin Alas.

And it could well be a slam-bang game to be followed by another interesting match pitting Rain or Shine and NorthPort in the PBA Philippine Cup at the MOA Arena in Pasay City.

The Fuel Masters and the Road Warriors clash at 4:30 p.m., then the Elasto Painters and the Batang Pier collide at 7 p.m.

“Our team and NLEX are almost even on hustle points, transition, second-chance and points off turnovers. That means we have to outwork them to have a better chance of winning,” said Phoenix coach Louie Alas.

“Then we need to contain their big men Poy Erram, JR Quiñahan, Marion Magat and Kris Porter,” Alas added, bracing for a tough battle as they seek a fifth straight win.

The Road Warriors have gained momentum, picking up back-to-back victories after three consecutive losses, but were hit by a bad break with Alas again going down with an ACL tear.

“We are still affected by the unfortunate incident involving Kevin. We’ll dedicate this game to him. We’ll give our best to reciprocate his hard work for the team,” said NLEX coach Yeng Guiao.

“Phoenix is at the top of their game while we are just trying to get there. Their defensive energy is one of the best in the league. If we don’t match it, then we are going to be just another one of their victims,” Guiao also said.

Meanwhile, ROS has no complaint playing another game with hardly a breather from three successive games starting Jan. 30.

The Batang Pier, for their part, could only hope they have done their assignment in a long 12-day layoff going to their match with the E-Painters – two teams right behind the front-running Fuel Masters.

The E-Painters are at 4-1, having won their last two games against the San Miguel Beermen and the Alaska Milk Aces while the Batang Pier are at 2-1, dropping their last outing in a sorry upset by the Columbian Dyip on Jan. 25.

“Maganda ang condition namin, at ang maganda may momentum kami papunta sa mga crucial games namin,” said Rain or Shine sophomore guard Rey Nambatac, among the key players in their 85-72 thrashing of the Aces Sunday.

“One big key is that all our guys are contributing,” said ROS coach Caloy Garcia of his team coming out strong in their three successive games against Blackwater, SMB and Alaska.

Meanwhile, the Batang Pier have waited a little while before finally getting the opportunity to rebound from their deflating loss to the Dyip.

It was a disappointing defeat that saw the Batang Pier blow away a 10-point lead and fall by 14 before eventually suffering a 100-110 loss.