EXPECT a grind-it-out affair when Meralco and Alaska collide Saturday with each hoping to further its cause in the PBA Governors' Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo. Currently tied with Magnolia Ang Pambansang Manok at the top of the heap, the Bolts are eyeing to not only grab solo leadership but also move closer to securing a top four finish at the end of the 11-game eliminations.
For their part, the Aces are aiming for a quarterfinals spot while stoking their own bid for a finish at the upper half of the qualifiers for the next round, which carries with it a win-once advantage over a lower-ranked team in the last eight.
Should Alaska hit that target, then it would remain on track towards its main goal, which is to finish its farewell PBA tournament with a loud bang.
Considering what's at stake, Meralco coach Norman Black believes his team is in for a rough-and-tumble affair.
"We are expecting a defensive battle with Alaska since that is their strength," said Black on the eve of the match. "It will be a tough, physical game."
Foreseeing the same scenario is Alaska coach Jeff Cariaso, main reason why he wants his team to avoid the mistakes it made in a sorry 89-106 loss to NLEX last Wednesday that cut short the Aces' three-game winning streak.
"Bounce back mentality kami tomorrow," said Cariaso. "Versus NLEX we started slow and poorly on both ends," added Cariaso. "We're looking to change that tomorrow so we can set a good tone for the rest of the game."
Indeed, the Aces failed to match the Road Warriors' blistering start in their game and wound up trailing by as many as 29 points.
That performance was in stark contrast to the way Meralco asserted its dominance over Terrafirma right in the second period, going on to lead by as many as 26 points before realizing a cruising 107-95 win last Thursday.
"We need our veterans and (import) Olu (Ashaolu) to show up tomorrow and carry us," said Cariaso, his sentiment precisely what Black expects.
"We have to control our rebounds and defend their low post offense led by their import," said Black. (NC)(PBA)
(Photo credits to: Spin.ph)