Games today
Araneta Coliseum
5:15 p.m.- Meralco vs. Alaska
7:30 p.m.- Talk ‘N Text vs. Petron
A well-rested Alaska Aces look to snap out of their slump when they take on the Meralco Bolts today in the 38th PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Aces haven’t played since Nov. 18 where they lost to the Barangay Ginebra Kings, 93-96. That was Alaska’s fourth straight defeat as it sputtered since putting up five consecutive victories.
With the slide, the Aces dropped to seventh place in the standings with a 5-6 (win-loss) record.
Alaska will welcome the return of energetic rookie Calvin Abueva, who sat out in the Ginebra game due to a nasal infection.
The Bolts for their part, seek a repeat of their 93-86 win over the Aces in their initial meeting last Oct. 10. Rookie Cliff Hodge was a monster in that victory, tallying a game-high 20 points that went along with his 11 boards.
Meralco is coming off a crucial, 101-92 triumph after succumbing to a, 98-102 overtime loss to the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
Against the Painters, the Bolts suffered a huge meltdown when they wasted what looked like a safe 26-point third quarter deficit.
Meanwhile, the Petron Blaze Boosters put their three-game winning streak on the line when they face the defending champions Talk N Text Tropang Texters in the main game.
Petron fell to the bottom of the standings at one point in the tournament but its surge allowed the team to move up in the standings with an even 6-6 slate, good for solo sixth place.
Petron is closely trailing Ginebra and Meralco, which are tied for fourth and fifth spots with similar 6-5 records.
Winner of three straight games, the Texters sit on top of the standings with a 10-2 slate and is already assured of a playoff for the top two spots in the quarterfinal round.
The top two teams in the quarters will enjoy twice-to-beat edges against their lower-ranked opponents.