Skidding Aces out to recover lost ground

Games today (Smart Araneta Coliseum)

4:15 p.m. – Globalport vs Alaska

6:30 p.m. – Talk n Text vs Ginebra

MANILA, Philippines - Frontrunner Alaska Milk, beaten in two of its last three games, hopes to regain fire and energy even in the absence of lead guard Jayvee Casio as the Aces tangle with the Globalport Batang Pier in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum today.

The Aces found company at the helm as an all-Filipino Petron team shocked Rain Or Shine, 87-79, in their Phoenix-sponsored road game last night at Panabo, Davao del Norte.

Both share the lead at 6-2, while Rain or Shine dropped to third at 5-3.

Rookie Jun Mar Fajardo dished out his best game as a pro, piling up 20 points, 13 rebounds and two assists as he carried Petron to its sixth win in eight games.

The Aces hope to regain solo lead today against the Batang Pier, which will be playing tooth and nail to get out of the cellar in the 4:15 p.m. curtain-raiser.

Talk n Text and Barangay Ginebra seek to sustain their progress as they mix it up in the 6:30 p.m. mainer.

“Both teams have not been consistent as of late, but before we think about Globalport, we have to get ourselves right,” said Alaska coach Luigi Trillo.

“Jayvee has been clearly missed but it does not make it an excuse that if he is not there, we can’t take care of the basketball,” Trillo also said.

With Casio starting to take a complete rest Friday against Air21, the Aces committed 24 turnovers in a 68-74 loss. “We had not had that in a long time,” said Trillo.

Casio is out with a patella kneecap injury.

“We’re now on a survival mode. We need to toughen up on defense. We’re deadlast because of defense or the desire to play defense. Our offense is okay,” said Globalport coach Junel Baculi.

Baculi particularly calls the attention of 6-foot-9 forward Japeth Aguilar.

“He should assert himself more, especially his inside presence,” said Baculi whose troops languish in the cellar at 2-6.