The Alaska Aces go for their third consecutive victory in the 2016-2017 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup when they battle Barangay Ginebra 6:45 p.m., Sunday, December 18 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Alaska will be looking to follow up its 81-79 come-from-behind victory over the Meralco Bolts last Wednesday, December 14.
The Aces will again lean on Vic Manuel, Chris Banchero, RJ Jazul and Jvee Casio – heroes of the victory over the Bolts – to lead the attack against Ginebra.
Manuel scored 22 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and had four assists to win Best Player of the Game against Meralco. Banchero drained the go-ahead three-pointer which towed the Aces to victory past the Bolts. He also tallied a game-high five assists.
Jazul converted a triple and two free throws while Casio drained a three-pointer during Alaska’s blazing 13-2 finishing run which allowed the Aces to post the scrambling victory.
Alaska erased an imposing nine-point deficit, 68-77, with less than two minutes to play to post the scrambling victory.
The Aces have won their past two games after losing the first two. From dead last in the standings the Aces (2 wins, 2 losses) are now tied at sixth place with the Star Hotshots (2-2), the Meralco Bolts (2-2) and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel (2-2),
Leading the standings are the San Miguel Beermen (3-1), the GlobalPort Batang Pier (3-1) and the Rain Or Shine Elasto Painters (3-1). The Blackwater Elite (3-2) and the TNT Ka Tropa (3-2) are tied at fourth place.
Bringing up the rear are the Phoenix Petroleum Fuel Masters (2-3), the NLEX Road Warriors (1-3) and the Mahindra Floodbuster (0-5).
The Aces have tallied back-to-back victories despite the absence of their two best centers in Sonny Thoss and Noy Baclao.
The Aces make up for their lack of ceiling with sheer tenacity and hard work at both ends of the floor.
At the defensive end Alaska relies on its fearsome full court press and its scrambling help defense. On offense the Aces run at every opportunity and lean on a host of shooters to snipe from three-point distance.
The Aces face a dangerous challenge in 2016 PBA Governors Cup champion Ginebra.
Alaska Aces point guard Chris Banchero (2) slashes past Barangay Ginebra defender Scottie Thompson (left). The Aces go for their third consecutive victory in the 2016-2017 PBA Philippine Cup when they battle Ginebra on Dec. 18 at the Araneta Coliseum.
Alaska Aces big man Vic Manuel (4) defies the triple teaming defense of Barangay Ginebra defenders, from left: Joe Devance, LA Tenorio and Jervy Cruz. The Aces go for their third consecutive victory in the 2016-2017 PBA Philippine Cup when they battle Ginebra on Dec. 18 at the Araneta Coliseum.
Alaska Aces guard RJ Jazul (31) tries to dribble past Barangay Ginebra counterpart Sol Mercado (3). The Aces go for their third consecutive victory in the 2016-2017 PBA Philippine Cup when they battle Ginebra on Dec. 18 at the Araneta Coliseum.
Alaska Aces guard Jvee Casio (42) protects the basketball against Barangay Ginebra point guard LA Tenorio (5). The Aces go for their third consecutive victory in the 2016-2017 PBA Philippine Cup when they battle Ginebra on Dec. 18 at the Araneta Coliseum.