Aces look to rebound from embarassing loss to Talk ‘N Text in first semis game

Games today:

Araneta Coliseum

5:30 p.m.- Alaska vs. Petron

7:45 p.m.- Ginebra vs. B-Meg

Sister teams Petron Blaze Boosters and Barangay Ginebra Kings try to firm up their hold of second place when they separate foes in the semifinal round of the 36th PBA Governors’ Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Boosters clash with the Alaska Aces in the first game, while the Kings go up against another sister team B-Meg Llamados in the main game.

Petron and Ginebra both ended the elimination round with five wins and three losses. They are tied at second place behind the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters, who are 7-2 (win-loss).

Alaska started its semifinal campaign on a sour note after it got blown out by the Texters last Friday, 85-83.

The loss snapped Alaska’s three-game win streak as it tries to overcome the absence of Cyrus Baguio. Baguio is expected to miss the entire semis due to a foot injury he suffered during practice.

The Llamados, meanwhile, took off to rousing start, rallying from a 17-point third quarter deficit to edge out the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 99-98.

The win allowed B-Meg to tie Alaska’s record at 5-4.

“We didn’t play well in the first half. We’re not sharing the ball and it wasn’t us. Good thing, the guys just didn’t give up. They just didn’t want to lose this game,” B-Meg coach Jorge Gallent told pba.ph after their cardiac win.

Playing back-to-back games will prove crucial for the Llamados especially against the run-and-gun Kings.

“We have to save our legs now for Ginebra. They play a lot like Rain or Shine. They push the ball hard as they love to run,” Gallent said.

Staying at second place will be crucial for the Boosters and the Kings as the top two teams after the single-round-robin semis will advance to the finals.