ALEX Compton was left impressed upon seeing Meralco edged Magnolia in their PBA Commissioner's Cup game almost a month ago.
His belief hasn't changed since then now that the Aces are about to face the Bolts Sunday in the curtain raiser of a doubleheader at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The two teams go to the 4:30 p.m. encounter on separate winning streaks.
Meralco has won its last three outings to tie TnT Katropa at third place with similar 6-2 standings, although Alaska is more impressive behind its seven consecutive wins for a 7-1 record to crowd out Rain or Shine at the top and move closer of clinching one of two top seedings in the quarterfinals.
Still, Compton holds Meralco in high esteem especially following the Bolts 81-79 win over the Hotshots that he couldn't help but texted Bolts assistant deputy Luigi Trillo shortly after the game.
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"I told him you guys are so good," Compton said of his short conversation with his former coach at Alaska. "That was May 19 and that opinion hasn't change."
"So if we don't play better on Sunday, it's going to be tough."
While Meralco has already punched a quarterfinals ticket, coach Norman Black isn't looking too far about aiming for a top 2 finish at the end of the eliminations.
Of course, that would change a bit should the Bolts be able to contain the streaking Aces.
"This is a big weekend for us," Black declared after his team warmed up for its coming showdown with the Aces following a 102-75 demolition of Blackwater Friday night.
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"We have Alaska coming up and the goal is to beat them, and see what happens after that," he said.
Black holding back his punches a little bit are understandable.
