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Aces go for win No. 9
By WAYLON GALVEZ, Manila Bulletin
Alaska Milk tries to cement its hold on the lead this Sunday when it battles Barako Bull while San Miguel hopes to repair its
shattered image against Burger King in the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup at the Ynares Arena in Pasig City.
Seeking an outright semis berth, the Aces shoot for their 9th win when they collide with the Energy Boosters at 6:30 p.m.
while the Beermen open the second phase of the elimination round against the Burger King Whoppers at 4 p.m.
The Aces have won their last two games to boost their record to 8-1, which assured them a quarterfinals berth in the season-
ending tournament.
San Miguel dropped its first two assignments but its 117-99 win over the Whoppers turned its fortunes around as the
Beermen won their next seven games.
But the luster of their winning streak disappeared after absorbing an embarrassing 109-96 loss to Smart Gilas national
team the other day in Antipolo.
Though it was just an exhibition, Beermen must amend for their folly the last time around if they want to regain the respect of
their fans.
Burger King lost to defending champion Talk ’N Text, 105-118, also last Friday despite taking a 30-point lead (49-19) early in
the second period.
The loss ended BK’s two-game winning run.
This will also be the second time that BK will face SMB after trading
Arwind Santos to the food and beverage company. Santos torched his former team with 28 points, 18 boards, two assists
and three steals in their initial encounter which they won easily.
Though the Energy Boosters have only two wins to show in 9 outings, Alaska coach Tim Cone is not going to take them
lightly since he’s aware that Barako Bull is capable of beating them.
In their first meeting last October 14, the Aces trailed 38-41 at halftime break and needed a third quarter explosion to settle
the issue – big thanks to former two-time MVP Willie Miller who posted a rare triple-double performance. Miller tallied 19
points, 11 rebounds, and 12 assists.
While Cone expects a tough game, he hopes that they have learned their lessons from a recent setback to Rain or Shine
(81-86) that snapped a six-game streak.
“We’ve got three words for our guys as we prepare for Barako Bull – Rain or Shine,” Cone, whose team is coming off back-to-
back wins, said. “We’ll see if we learned our lessons and come out better prepared to meet their challenge.”
Cone said the key for them is to control the boards, set their half-court game and deny the Boosters from dictating the tempo
with its running game.
Barako Bull has dropped its last five games, but coach Leo Isaac remains optimistic of their chances, saying their wins over
Coca Cola and Rain or Shine were a proof that they can compete at a high level.
“We just have to stay focused, keep on playing and believe that we can win,” Isaac said.
Aside from limiting Miller, the Energy Boosters will also have to contain other Alaska players including LA Tenorio, Sonny
Thoss, Joe Devance, Tony dela Cruz, and Reynel Hugnatan, while hoping that he gets solid games from rookie Ogie Menor
and veteran Leo Najorda.
By WAYLON GALVEZ, Manila Bulletin
Alaska Milk tries to cement its hold on the lead this Sunday when it battles Barako Bull while San Miguel hopes to repair its
shattered image against Burger King in the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup at the Ynares Arena in Pasig City.
Seeking an outright semis berth, the Aces shoot for their 9th win when they collide with the Energy Boosters at 6:30 p.m.
while the Beermen open the second phase of the elimination round against the Burger King Whoppers at 4 p.m.
The Aces have won their last two games to boost their record to 8-1, which assured them a quarterfinals berth in the season-
ending tournament.
San Miguel dropped its first two assignments but its 117-99 win over the Whoppers turned its fortunes around as the
Beermen won their next seven games.
But the luster of their winning streak disappeared after absorbing an embarrassing 109-96 loss to Smart Gilas national
team the other day in Antipolo.
Though it was just an exhibition, Beermen must amend for their folly the last time around if they want to regain the respect of
their fans.
Burger King lost to defending champion Talk ’N Text, 105-118, also last Friday despite taking a 30-point lead (49-19) early in
the second period.
The loss ended BK’s two-game winning run.
This will also be the second time that BK will face SMB after trading
Arwind Santos to the food and beverage company. Santos torched his former team with 28 points, 18 boards, two assists
and three steals in their initial encounter which they won easily.
Though the Energy Boosters have only two wins to show in 9 outings, Alaska coach Tim Cone is not going to take them
lightly since he’s aware that Barako Bull is capable of beating them.
In their first meeting last October 14, the Aces trailed 38-41 at halftime break and needed a third quarter explosion to settle
the issue – big thanks to former two-time MVP Willie Miller who posted a rare triple-double performance. Miller tallied 19
points, 11 rebounds, and 12 assists.
While Cone expects a tough game, he hopes that they have learned their lessons from a recent setback to Rain or Shine
(81-86) that snapped a six-game streak.
“We’ve got three words for our guys as we prepare for Barako Bull – Rain or Shine,” Cone, whose team is coming off back-to-
back wins, said. “We’ll see if we learned our lessons and come out better prepared to meet their challenge.”
Cone said the key for them is to control the boards, set their half-court game and deny the Boosters from dictating the tempo
with its running game.
Barako Bull has dropped its last five games, but coach Leo Isaac remains optimistic of their chances, saying their wins over
Coca Cola and Rain or Shine were a proof that they can compete at a high level.
“We just have to stay focused, keep on playing and believe that we can win,” Isaac said.
Aside from limiting Miller, the Energy Boosters will also have to contain other Alaska players including LA Tenorio, Sonny
Thoss, Joe Devance, Tony dela Cruz, and Reynel Hugnatan, while hoping that he gets solid games from rookie Ogie Menor
and veteran Leo Najorda.