ELEVEN straight losses in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) dating back to last conference is what the Alaska Aces hope to break from today as they take on the TNT KaTropa in the curtain-raiser at 4:15 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Ended their campaign in the previous tournament, Commissioner’s Cup, with eight consecutive losses, the downward spiral has spilled over to the ongoing Governors’ Cup for the Aces, with the team opening their campaign with three defeats in a row, including against the Star Hotshots, 101-92, last time around.
The free fall has the Aces concerned but they remain upbeat that they will eventually wake up from their stupor and get back to their winning ways.
Import LaDontae Henton is pacing Alaska with averages of 30.3 points, eight rebounds and 2.7 steals.
Guard Simon Enciso has been backstopping Mr. Henton with his 14-point and four-assist average while Chris Banchero is chipping in 13.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and five assists.
Calvin Abueva, who missed the team’s last game, meanwhile, has been good for a double-double of 10 points and 10.5 rebounds. He is expected to make his return today against TNT.
The KaTropa, for their part, will try to rebound from a previous loss in today’s game versus the Aces.
Won in its tournament debut, TNT was stopped by the San Miguel Beermen, 97-91, last Wednesday in their first encounter since facing off in the Commissioner’s Cup finals.
The KaTropa (1-1) stood toe-to-toe with the Beermen for much of the contest but eventually faltered in the end to slump to their first defeat in the season-ending PBA tournament.
Import Michael Craig had a double-double of 16 points and 18 rebounds but it was not enough to tow his team to the win. In his debut against the Kia Picanto where they won, 106-96, he finished with a triple-double of 21 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists.
Jayson Castro added 14 points five rebounds and four assists in their game against San Miguel while Mo Tautuaa, RR Pogoy and Ranidel de Ocampo each had 10 points.
Meanwhile in the second game at 7 p.m., San Miguel and Star, both sporting a 2-0 records, stake their spotless record to date against one another.
San Miguel import Wendell McKines has been steady for 20.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists in their first two games.
Star’s Malcolm Hill, for his part, had an auspicious debut against Alaska with 28 points and 11 rebounds.
“We know he can do what he did tonight (against Alaska). Malcolm can play multiple positions. He knows how to win and he knows how to involve his teammates. He is also willing to play defense which fits us well,” said Star coach Chito Victolero of their new import who replaced Cinmeon Bowers after only playing one game. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo
