Fired-up Aces primed up for long haul

Game Tuesday (MOA Arena)

5:15 p.m. – San Mig Coffee vs Rain or Shine

Game Wednesday (MOA Arena)

5:15 p.m. – Talk n Text vs Alaska Milk

MANILA, Philippines - Despite their close defeat Wednesday followed by a morale-boosting triumph Friday, Alaska Milk Aces have no illusion things would be easier in the next nights of their PBA Philippine Cup Final Four face-off with the Talk n Text Tropang Texters.

“They’re going to come out and play hard every game. Our best chance is to get it to a Game Seven,” said Alaska coach Luigi Trillo, cautious having just evened up with the Texters after two games of their best-of-seven showdown.

Trillo maintains they would have the chance to pull the rug from under back-to-back defending champion Talk n Text if they’re able to play their tempo.

“They’re so talented that we can’t outscore them. We’re playing them well because we’re playing to our identity,” Trillo pointed out after his team took Game Two, 100-88.

“We did a good job on Jimmy Alapag and Ranidel de Ocampo. Jimmy didn’t get his usual shots. Ranidel wasn’t there either. We attacked him early and got him into foul trouble. If Ranidel was there, Talk n Text would’ve been a different team,” said Trillo on their defensive brilliance Friday night.

Keeping the two Talk n Text stalwarts in check is among the Aces’ objectives in Game Three set at 5:15 p.m. Wednesday at the MOA Arena in Pasay.

“You don’t want to get a sleeping dog awake,” said Trillo.

Curiously, the Alaska-TnT series is proving to be a battle, far more than the San Mig Coffee-Rain or Shine confrontation.

The Elasto Painters scored a 91-83 win in Game One then the Mixers fashioned out an even more lopsided 106-82 victory in Game Two.

The two teams break the deadlock in their showdown in Game Three slated on Christmas Day also at the MOA Arena.

The Aces battled the Tropang Texters toe-to-toe in the first three quarters before finding ways to assert their game in the payoff period Friday.

Jayvee Casio rifled in five treys and finished with a team-high 22 points while Calvin Abueva churned out another double-double game with 20 markers and 14 boards as the Aces sent the series back to scratch.

“Talk n Text was able to impose their game in the first half. The second half was more of our own tempo. We’re able to establish Sonny Thoss at the paint and attack our matchup advantage,” said Trillo.

“It’s crucial we’re able to tie it after two games. We’re off in the next four days and we have the opportunity to refresh and see what adjustments we need to do for the next game,” Trillo added.

Casio and Abueva outplayed Alapag and De Ocampo as the Aces avenged their 65-66 loss in the series opener.

Cyrus Baguio, Thoss and Gabby Espinas were also there, playing their roles. The three combined for 40 points, 13 rebounds and five assists.

De Ocampo got into foul trouble situation early and was limited to playing 17 minutes. Alapag, meanwhile, played 31 minutes but bled for his points, going 1-of-11 from the field.

The Aces made crucial romps in the second half, eventually seizing control at 89-78 on a 14-4 spurt by Abueva and RJ Jazul.