Well-rested Hotshots, Aces start title duel

MANILA, Philippines — Magnolia and Alaska Milk end tonight a long wait to start a battle for a first crown in a long while – their 17-day break allowing each side to be armed to the teeth for what could be a dogfight in the opener of the PBA Governors Cup best-of-seven finals at the MOA Arena in Pasay City.

Key players have recovered from their injuries, and both teams are eager to plunge back into action, each side as they fight for first blood in the 7 p.m. setto.

“Nothing has changed except the break has allowed the players to be readier for a topnotch battle,” said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero. “As almost everybody sees it, the two teams are of equal strength, and they could engage in a grind-out battle in each game. I think it would boil down to who can execute at the finish.”

“(Wednesday) is the start of what I believe will be a tough and exciting finals series,” said Alaska coach Alex Compton. “Magnolia has been playing the best basketball in the PBA all conference. The way they have defended and moved the basketball lets me know that we better play the best we have played as a team if we want to win this championship.”

Romeo Travis, Paul Lee and Ian Sangalang are back in top shape for Magnolia while Alaska main locals Vic Manuel and Chris Banchero have recovered from their own injuries, making the two teams ready for an expected defensive-oriented, fast-paced hardnosed showdown.

Lee banners the irrepressible Magnolia backcourt that includes Mark Barroca, Jio Jalalon, Justin Melton and PJ Simon while Banchero leads the pesky Alaska guards including Jvee Casio, Ping Exciminiano and Simon Enciso.

Both teams made the finals with tremendous boost from the relentless pressing defense and sleek offense of their backcourts.

With the scrappy plays of their backcourts, Magnolia and Alaska have emerged the top defensive teams in the tourney.

The Hotshots are No. 1 in steals with 10.5 a game while the Aces average 7.0 on top of 3.56 blocks an outing.

The two teams are almost even on other departments, with the Hotshots averaging 102.06 points, 49.75 rebounds and 24.8 assists and the Aces norming 102.25 markers, 50.75 boards and 24.56 dole-outs.

PBA coaches see the Magnolia-Alaska duel as a tossup.

“I will not be surprised if all the games go down to the wire, and the series goes to a deciding Game Seven that would make the PBA fans very happy,” said San Miguel coach Leo Austria.

“Strength and weaknesses are almost even. The team with less turnovers and gets more offensive rebounds wins the series,” said Phoenix Petroleum coach Louie Alas.

Being crownless in a while, both are well-motivated going into the series.