MANILA, Philippines — May hawak na ‘twice-to-beat’ advantage ang No. 2 Meralco laban sa No. 7 Alaska sa kanilang quarterfinals match bukas sa 2019 PBA Governor’s Cup.
Sinabi ni coach Jeffrey Cariaso na kung muling maipapakita ng kanyang mga Aces ang kanilang bangis sa 106-90 paggupo sa No. 1 NLEX Road Warriors noong Miyerkules ay malaki ang tsansa nilang talunin ang Bolts para sa isang ‘do-or-die’ game.
“Our level of play will need to be a little bit higher for us to do something special in the quarters but, again, it’s how we prepare and how we’re ready for the game,” wika ni Cariaso.
May hawak na ‘twice-to-beat’ incentive ang No. 1, 2, 3 at 4 teams laban sa No. 8, 7, 6 at 5 squads, ayon sa pagkakasunod, sa quarterfinals ng season-ending conference.
“We know we have a big feat against the No. 2 team,” sabi ni Cariaso sa Meralco ni one-time PBA Grand Slam champion coach Norman Black. “We have to be ready because whoever we play is going to be deserving of the No. 2 spot.”
Para makapasok sa quarterfinals ay bumangon ang koponan ni Cariaso mula sa 0-5 panimula para ipanalo ang lima sa huli nilang anim na laro sa elimination round.
“The way we’re practicing, the way we’re engaged, the way we were focused, it was as if it was playoff time for us,” ani Cariaso.