Alaska, Meralco collide in Antipolo
Credit to Author: JOSEF T. RAMOS, TMT| Date: Sat, 08 Jun 2019 16:22:36 +0000
Alaska and Meralco are on a hunt for a third consecutive victory when they clash at 4:30 p.m. today in Season 44 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo City.
The two teams, both holding a 3-2 win-loss record, are eager to break the deadlock at the fourth to fifth places.
“We play Meralco Sunday night. They beat us in a tune up, and I know coach Norman (Black) is a great coach and they just got Raymond Almazan. They are arguably the most disciplined team in the league,” said Alaska coach Alex Compton.
Vic Manuel, who returned last Wednesday after recovering from a back injury he sustained in last year’s Governors’ Cup contributed six points to Alaska’s 103-80 victory over Magnolia.
Meralco coach Norman Black said that the return of power forward Manuel has inspired the Aces.
Meralco beat an undermanned Phoenix Pulse, 101-95, in its previous game behind import Gani Lawal’s 28 points and 26 rebounds. The Bolts are hoping to sustain its three-game winning run against Alaska.
“We don’t have much rest between this game (Friday’s game with Phoenix) and next game (Alaska). It seems with the re-entry of Vic Manuel, I am not sure what he did much production-wise last game, but it really energized those guys,” said Black.
Raymond Almazan played only for 13 minutes scoring three points in his debut with the Bolts.
Meanwhile, Rain or Shine (1-2 ) aims for back-to-back wins when it faces Phoenix Pulse (1-2) in the 6:45 p.m. game.
The Elasto Painters, powered by Rey Nambatac’s 30 points, routed Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, 104-81, on Friday. The Gin Kings finally entered the win-column after four games.
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