FROM the looks of it, Alaska appeared to have gotten a favorable draw in its PBA Governors Cup opening game where it gets to play perennial cellar-dweller NLEX on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
But that’s no longer the case now.
The Aces are bracing for a hard-fought battle against the Road Warriors in the main of a doubleheader ushering the season-ending meet especially with the work coach Yeng Guiao has made to improve NLEX’s roster and chemistry in the first two conferences he’s at the helm of the franchise.
Alex Compton, Alaska’s affable American mentor, is certainly not looking past a Road Warriors’ side which he describes as ‘looking like a real Yeng Guiao team.’
“They acquired starters from other teams that I think will be really significant players for them for a while,” he said while mentioning the names of key NLEX acquisitions Alex Mallari, JR Quinahan, and Larry Fonacier.
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“They also added a big time post scorer in Rabeh (Al-Hussaini), Jonas Villanueva is back, and they have a workhorse for an import (Aaron Fullerton),” added Compton.
The 7 p.m. game should also serves as fresh start for the Aces. The team ended its campaign in the last Commissioner’s Cup by losing its last eight games, including a thrilling 107-106 loss to Globalport in their knockout game for the last quarterfinals berth.
During that losing stretch – after starting their bid by winning four straight games – the Aces suffered a 100-92 upset at the hands of the Road Warriors, who played the last five minutes of the match without fouled-out import Wayne Chism.
In contrast, NLEX’s win over Alaska allowed it to end the Commissioner’s Cup with back-to-back victories after following it up with a 116-114 thriller against Phoenix.
Prior to their victories over the Aces and Fuel Masters, the Road Warriors lost 13 straight games dating back to the Philippine Cup.
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Those factors are enough for Compton to consider NLEX as a possible playoff contender this conference.
“I actually like that we will be tested by a tough team right away,” said the Alaska coach, who has brought back Buck Henton as the team’s import this tournament.
”Hopefully, we will be able to match the intensity that they (Road Warriors) will be playing with.”
Henton suited up for the Aces in this same conference last year and guided the team to the quarterfinals where it lost to eventual champion Barangay Ginebra.
