Batang Pier target third win vs Aces

MANILA, Philippines – GlobalPort, off to a swashbuckling start with its beefed-up roster, guns for a third straight win as it tangles with winless Alaska Milk in the PBA Philippine Cup at the MOA Arena in Pasay City tonight.

The Batang Pier and the Aces clash at 4:15 p.m. with the former setting out as the favorites with their strong season start marked by decisive victories over the Mahindra Floodbuster (97-75) and the Star Hotshots (91-84).

The Aces, meanwhile, dropped their first two games, struggling minus injury-hit key players Calvin Abueva and Sonny Thoss. 

The Aces actually put up a solid stand against the San Miguel Beermen the last time out even minus Abueva, Thoss and two players – Vic Manuel and Ping Exciminiano – who served suspension for playing in an unsanctioned game.  

“We should anticipate an aggressive Alaska team,” said GlobalPort coach Franz Pumaren.

“GlobalPort has an incredibly potent offense led by Terrence (Romeo) and Stanley (Pringle). They have added key players in JR (Quiñahan) and KG (Canaleta), and their coach (Franz Pumaren) is one of the top in the country). We have got to defend Terrence and Stanley as a team, but then we also have to worry about their veterans,” said Alaska coach Alex Compton.

Meanwhile, NLEX tries to rebound from a loss while Star hopes to finally break into the win-column as they slug it out in the 7 p.m. mainer featuring the first face-off between coach Yeng Guiao and his former ward Paul Lee.

The NLEX-Star tiff will also feature interesting matchups between Marc Pingris and Sean Anthony and among the two teams’ talented guards. Lee, Mark Barroca, Jio Jalalon and PJ Simon will be pitted against Kevin Alas, Garvo Lanete and Jonas Villanueva.

The Road Warriors are coming off a 93-106 setback against the Meralco Bolts while the Hotshots have dropped their first two matches in the all-Filipino tourney versus the San Miguel Beermen (88-96) and the GlobalPort Batang Pier (84-91).

“We need to play with a sense of urgency. We need to have that proper mindset especially as we’re facing a team that is very tough on transition. I want my players to be focused and play aggressively for 48 minutes,” said Star coach Chito Victolero.

At 1-1, the Road Warriors can force a heavy logjam at second place with a win over the Star Hotshots. At second place with identical 2-1 marks are Rain or Shine, TNT KaTropa, Blackwater, Phoenix and titleholder San Miguel Beer.