Friday, October 24, 2008 Alaska guns for 5th straight win
MANILA – Pacesetter Alaska Aces try to keep their unbeaten streak when they face Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters today in the 34th KFC-PBA Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
The Aces, bearing a clean 4-0 slate, meet the Tropang Texters in the first game at 5 p.m, while defending champion Sta. Lucia Realty takes on the slumping Air 21 in the main match at 7:30 p.m.
Sta. Lucia Realty, aided by defensive lapses by Asi Taulava and Ronjay Buenafe in the dying seconds, escaped with an 83-82 triumph over Coca-Cola Tigers last Wednesday to remain at third following the Gin Kings’ 89-118 setback to sister team San Miguel Beer also the other day.
Coach Tim Cone’s Aces, fresh from their 91-84 victory over the Elasto Painters last Sunday, are expected to encounter rough sailing against the Tropang Texters, who are trying to bounce back after losing to the Beermen, 77-84, last Oct. 17.
A win by the Aces will enable them to post their best start in an All-Filipino conference since 1998.
Coach Cone is expected to rely solely on their defense, which has been the focal point of Alaska’s first four wins as they limited their opponents to just 78.3 points a game, the best performance by any team in the conference so far. Furthermore, no team has ever scored more than 84 points against Alaska in this conference.
But Alaska’s four-game record will be tested against Talk ‘N Text, which is so far third-best this conference in scoring with an average of 95.8 points per game.
However, in their last two losses, the Tropang Texters averaged only 86.5 points compared to 105.0 in their first two wins, a drop of 18.5 points recently. (FCC)
