Aces, Fuel Masters gun for early lead

MANILA, Philippines — Alaska and Phoenix try to move on top of the standings today when they both seek a second win in the week-old PBA Governors Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Alaska faces on-and-off TNT KaTropa in the curtain-raiser at 4:30 p.m. while Phoenix takes on NorthPort in the other Sunday matchup at 6:45 p.m.

The Aces looked good with NBA veteran Mike Harris in an 80-72 victory over Meralco last Friday, and will ride the momentum when they test the KaTropa.

TNT sports a 1-2 record, losing its first game with Mike Glover, winning the second playing all-Filipino and losing to Blackwater with replacement Stacy Davis the other night.

Davis, at 23 the youngest among the batch of imports in this conference, showed up with solid credentials but could not lead the team past Blackwater.

The Pepperdine University standout played with heavy legs last Friday, obviously jet-lagged since flying in on the eve of his PBA debut.

The expectations are high. But with a little more time to rest, Davis should do better today than shooting 9-of-26 from the floor against the Elite.

Phoenix is coming off a 113-107 win over Columbian, with tested import Eugene Phelps unloading 50 points despite missing a dozen free throws.

Calvin Abueva, now with Phoenix after six seasons with Alaska, will also be a thorn for NorthPort, which bowed to NLEX, 123-107, last week in Antipolo City.