“I don’t know that there is a time that Purefoods is more dangerous than now,” said Compton, wary of coach Tim Cone and his troops that should be aching to come out and dish out their best to avert further slide.
“They are champions and they have been in this position before. We expect a long, tough, intense, tiring battle, and we know that we will have to bring our best effort if we expect to have a chance to win,” Compton also said.
The Aces try to hang on at second place as they tangle with the Hotshots in the PBA Governors’ Cup 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The Hotshots can really be very dangerous, having dropped three straight losses to the GlobalPort Batang Pier (89-91), the Meralco Bolts (81-83) and the San Miguel Beermen (89-100). Star main man James Yap could be due for a big game any time now.
Rookies Chris Banchero and Rome Dela Rosa have also stepped up.
Banchero is a big help at the offensive end especially during transition when he can sprint full tilt on offense and score on fastbreaks. He has also been masterfully orchestrating the Alaska offense when Casio goes to the bench.
Dela Rosa is showing his defensive chops. He played the past three Alaska game as starting small forward and has been assigned the unenviable task of containing the opposing teams’ high-scoring imports. He has acquitted himself well and has also held his own under the boards and contributed in grabbing rebounds.
The Aces will have their hands full against the defending champion Star Hotshots.
After a Grand Slam year last season the Hotshots have lost all championships save for the ongoing PBA Governors Cup. Additionally, the Hotshots have lost three consecutive games and are practically desperate to tally a victory in their next game against Alaska.
PBA Governor's Cup Full Match-up Summary...
Star shot 49 percent from the floor compared to Alaska’s 46 percent, but the Hotshots shot themselves in the foot with their 21 turnovers. Pingris, who finished with eight points and six rebounds, accounted for five turnovers, while import Marqus Blakely and Joe Devance had four each. Blakely led the Hotshots with 22 points and 12 rebounds, while Mark Barroca added 17.ROMEO Travis led a tough fourth-quarter as Alaska sent the Star Hotshots reeling to their fourth straight setback, 92-86, in the PBA Governors Cup on Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The victory sent Alaska into a tie for top spot with Barako Bull, which earlier fell to San Miguel Beer, 116-113. “The one thing I really appreciated was our defensive effort in the end,” said Alaska coach Alex Compton after the Aces bounced back from a 104-103 loss to Talk ‘N Text last week in Antipolo.
Watch full replay Star hotshots vs Alaska Aces May 27, Governor's Cup 2015 [follow this link]
PBA Game play scores..
The scores:Alaska 92 - Travis 27, Manuel 10, Baguio 9, Banchero 6, Thoss 6, Dela Rosa 6, Menk 6, Jazul 6, Exciminiano 5, Abueva 4, Casio 4, Hontiveros 3.
Star 86 - Blakely 22, Barroca 17, Yap 9, Pingris 8, Devance 8, Mallari 6, Maliksi 6, Reavis 4, Simon 4, Melton 2.
Quarterscores: 21-27, 44-44, 68-68, 92-86