Unbeaten Aces go for No. 6 vs Elite

Games today (Smart Araneta Coliseum)

4:15 p.m. – Alaska vs Blackwater

7 p.m. – NLEX vs Purefoods

Game tomorrow (Davao City)

5 p.m. – Rain or Shine vs Meralco

MANILA, Philippines - Alaska Milk coach Alex Compton isn’t looking too far ahead even as his Aces could be on their way to sustaining a perfect run halfway through their elimination round stint in the PBA Philippine Cup.

With the Blackwater Elite, winless in five games, as opponent, the Aces could be in for a virtual workout as they try to chalk up win No. 6 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum tonight.

“At 5-0, it only means we would not lose seven games (in the elims),” said Compton, not about to be easy on his players even as they’re looked cinch for playoffs action.

Needless to say, Compton and his Aces are determined to get going to make the Top Two for an outright semifinal entry.

Alaska and Blackwater clash at 4:15 p.m. with the Elite hoping to pull off an upset and keep their bid in the playoff race.

Reigning four-peat champ Purefoods Star and NLEX collide at 7 p.m. with both out to improve their marks in the middle of the pack.

Meanwhile, Rain or Shine and Meralco go for a crucial win to improve their ranking in the upper half of the chart as they mix it up at 5 p.m. tomorrow in Davao City, the third leg of the Petron Blaze PBA on Tour Saturday series.

While Alaska is the decided favorite against Blackwater, the Purefoods-NLEX tiff is seen as a good matchup.

“At this point, we need our play to do the talking. We just can’t afford to fall further behind the leaders,” said Purefoods coach Tim Cone. 

“With a complete lineup, Purefoods is a very strong team. We have to come out with a strong commitment to play defense. They’re a tough match-up for us but if we play ‘D,’ we will have a chance,” said NLEX coach Boyet Fernandez.

The Road Warriors are at seventh place with a 2-3 win-loss card, claiming victories over the Globalport Batang Pier, 101-96, and the Barangay Ginebra Kings, 97-81.

The Hotshots are right behind at eighth with a lone win over the Batang Pier against three losses to the Aces, the San Miguel Beermen and the Gin Kings.