Games today
Araneta Coliseum
5:15 p.m.- Alaska vs Air21
7:30 p.m.- Globalport vs. Petron
All eyes will be on Calvin “The Beast” Abueva once again today when the Alaska Aces shoot for their third straight victory against the Air21 Express in the 38th PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
Abueva had an impressive debut with the Aces last Friday, tallying 12 points and 16 rebounds to help the Aces to a come-from-behind 88-86 win over the Petron Blaze Boosters.
“What can I say? It’s just so nice to have Calvin. He brings so much to our team energy-wise,” said Alaska head coach Luigi Trillo after the Aces sealed their second straight win after starting the tournament with two straight losses.
“He’s gonna be the backbone of this franchise. I thought his energy was nakakahawa,” said Trillo.
Alaska battled back from a 12-point third quarter deficit to escape Petron. Interestingly, it was former Booster Dondon Hontiveros who keyed Alaska’s big fightback as the Cebuano hotshot unloaded 15 of his 17 points in the fourth period.
Alaska’s first victory was likewise sealed a come-from-behind fashion. The team clawed back from 12 points down in the third quarter to repulse the Barako Bull Energy Cola, 102-86.
A win today will push the Aces into a tie with the Meralco Bolts at third spot. The defending champions Talk N Text Tropang Texters lead the standings with a perfect a 5-0 (win-loss) card followed by the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters who are 4-1.
Air21 is gunning for a crucial win to move out of the cellar.
The Express and Globalport Batang Pier are tied at the bottom with identical 1-4 records.
Globalport will face Petron in the first game with the latter eyeing for a second straight win after coming out victorious against sister team Barangay Ginebra Kings, 98-95, last Sunday.
The Boosters have been struggling to pick up wins despite their star-studded lineup.
There has been some off-court distraction for Petron following reports that Serbian coach Rajko Toroman is no longer connected with the team.
Toroman’s presence in the bench has created confusion on who is really calling the shots for Petron. Instead of head coach Olsen Racela, there were times when it was Toroman who mapped out plays and orchestrated the team’s substitution.
Reports had it that Toroman was a no-show in the team’s practice last Wednesday.