By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
THE rejuvenated Alaska Aces return to Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup action today, seeking to further solidify their push for a spot in the quarterfinal phase of the season-ending PBA tournament.
Currently at joint eighth place in the race, the Aces (3-6) play the struggling Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters (2-7) in the scheduled 7 p.m. game at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Alaska has fashioned out a sort of turnaround in the tournament of late after opening their campaign with five straight losses.
It has won three of its last four games, including its last two, to will itself to the middle of the pack and be still in the hunt for a quarterfinal spot.
The latest of the victories of the Aces came at the expense of the Northport Batang Pier, 106-99, on Nov. 3 in a game that saw them put up a steady fight all throughout the contest to hold off a spirited challenged from the Batang Pier.
Import Frank House and Vic Manuel led the Aces in the victory with 23 points apiece while combining for 21 rebounds.
Rookie Abu Tratter had 17 points and Jeron Teng added 13 for Alaska, who played sans Chris Banchero who was traded to the Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok in the lead-up to the game for Robbie Herndon and Rodney Brondial.
“This is a game we always talked about, grinding it out to get the win. It’s a significant win because we were challenged all the way and we needed to make adjustments. The players really played well in responding and I think this will help us in our future games,” said Alaska coach Jeff Cariaso after their latest win.
Today’s game will see Messrs. Herndon and Brondial make their Alaska debut, something Mr. Cariaso is high about.
“Herndon is a very smart player, an IQ player. He knows his spots and does not force things. He knows his role. And he’s a good shooter. Rodney [meanwhile] is that role player that we need, that banger, that extra banger that we need; an extra big guy who does not care who his opponent is. He will do his best to try to defend. And he has good hands and can finish plays,” the Alaska coach said of their new acquisitions.
Phoenix, for its part, is looking to infuse life back into its slowly flickering playoff hopes.
The Fuel Masters have lost three straight matches, the last one at the hands of Magnolia, 97-81, on Nov. 6.
Import Alonzo Gee is leading the way for Phoenix with averages of 34.5 points, 11 rebounds and four steals.
Providing steady support to him are Matthew Wright (17.6 ppg and 3.4 apg), Jason Perkins (10 ppg and 6.22 rpg), Alex Mallari (9.6 ppg) and RJ Jazul (9.1 ppg).
Also playing today in the opener at 4:30 p.m. are league-leaders NLEX Road Warriors (8-1) against Northport (3-6).
