ALASKA coach Alex Compton wants his Aces to keep it going when they go for a third straight win and a seemingly insurmountable cushion against San Miguel Beer in the 2015-16 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup finals.
The best-of-seven championship affair resumes with Alaska in a good position to bury the Beermen in an even deeper hole as it shoots for a commanding 3-0 series lead in Game 3 at 7 p.m. today in a special out-of-town game in Lucena City.
With confidence, momentum, good health and a 2-0 lead on its side, Alaska now has a chance to put the defending champion on the ropes and on the brink should it continue its winning ways.
That’s what Compton wants—no slowing down for the Aces as the job is yet to be completed.
‘’It’s huge that we have a 2-0 lead. I’m glad we won the first two games. We’re in a good position,’’ said Compton. ‘’But we’re still not done yet and we need two more wins so we’ll continue to work hard for the championship.’’
So far in the series, talented Alaska forward Vic Manuel has been killing it.
In both games, the burly big man showed that he is ripe for the big time as he spearheaded the Aces’ attack by top-scoring on both occasions and delivering the goods in the clutch just when his team needed them the most.
Manuel leads everyone in the finals with his 21-point per average and the Beermen need to slow him down if they want to have a good chance of getting back in the series.
Even with a 0-2 hole and the continued absence of reigning Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo, San Miguel coach Leo Austria remains positive.
‘’We want to keep on fighting back and we never want to give up despite the handicap we’re facing,’’ said Austria. ‘’We may be down 0-2, but may chances pa naman kami.’’
Regarding Fajardo’s status, he remains day-to-day up to this point, but Austria said that he doesn’t plan on risking his prized ward to avoid the possibility of further injuries.
‘’We’re still not sure if June Mar (Fajardo) will be ready for Game 3 or for the series at all, but I don’t want to force it. His health is the most important thing,’’ said Austria.
Alex Cabagnot has since picked up most of the scoring cudgels with Fajardo gone as he leads San Miguel in scoring this finals, but he will need more help for the Beermen to finally break in the winning column this finals.
Game Today
(Game 3, Finals – Lucena City, Quezon):7 p.m. – San Miguel vs. Alaska
