By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
HAD their two-game ascent in the Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup halted last time around, the Alaska Aces look to regroup and bounce back when they take on the Columbian Dyip in opening league action today at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.
Currently perched at fourth place with a 5-2 record, the Aces shoot for the win against the already-eliminated Dyip (0-8) in their scheduled 4:30 p.m. joust even as they try to rebound from an 83-73 defeat at the hands of the league-leading Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok in their previous game.
A win by Alaska over Columbian will help its cause of finishing in the top four at the end of the elimination round of the season-ending PBA tournament and earning the twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.
Against Magnolia in their last game, the Aces got off to a good start but just could not sustain it as they slumped to the defeat.
Import Mike Harris had another stellar double-double of 24 points and 25 rebounds while Chris Banchero and Vic Manuel added 13 and 12 points, respectively.
After them though not much support came from the other Aces, limiting their capacity to fight back as the match progressed and nabbing the win.
While still in the thick of things for a top four finish with four games left in its schedule, including today’s game, Alaska coach Alex Compton said they have to be on top of their game the rest of the way if they are to hold on to a top four spot and even go deeper in the tournament.
“We like to be married into those top four spots [but] we’ve got to be better,” said Mr. Compton after their loss to Magnolia.
Looking to frustrate Alaska in its push is Columbian, which has been competing in the Governors’ Cup but just could not catch a break so far.
Import Akeem Wright is leading the way for the Johnedel Cardel-coached Dyip with averages of 22.4 points, 11.8 rebounds and 5.9 assists.
Guards Rashawn McCarthy and Jerramy King are also providing motor with the former good for 14.4 points and 3.4 assists and the latter 22.4 points and 7.9 rebounds.
Jackson Corpuz is the other Columbian player in double digits in scoring with 12.2 points.
The latest of the defeats of the Dyip was at the hands of the Northport Batang Pier, 118-101, on Oct. 6.
Meanwhile, playing in the second game at 7 p.m. are Northport (2-6) and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (1-4).
The Batang Pier have won two straight after dropping their first six games to stay in the hunt for a playoff spot while the Elasto Painters finally broke through the win column in their last game after four straight losses to open their Governors’ Cup bid.
In other news, incendiary forward Calvin Abueva of the Phoenix Fuel Masters was fined by the league P10,000 on Monday after displaying the dirty finger in two instances.
Mr. Abueva, who joined Phoenix in the in-between conference break, was slapped P4,000 for the act in their game against the NLEX Road Warriors on Oct. 10 and the San Miguel Beermen on Oct. 12.
The Gilas Pilipinas player has been steady for Phoenix (6-2) with averages of 14 points, nine rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.6 blocks per game.