IN a conference that was so competitive a single-round robin elimination was not enough, the Alaska Aces and the GlobalPort Batang Pier battle for the final seat to the playoffs of the 2017 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup tonight at the Mall of Asia Arena at 6:30 p.m.
Three teams actually tied in the standing after the exciting elimination round but the third team, the Phoenix Petroleum Fuel Masters, avoided a knockout game by virtue of a superior quotient leaving Alaska and GlobalPort to settle everything in a one-game playoff.
Based on their earlier meeting this conference the Aces should be the prohibitive favorites.
Alaska import Corey Jefferson led the Aces to a rousing 107-79 rout of the Batang Pier during their first game this conference last March 18. Jefferson scored at will against GlobalPort, sniping from three-point distance, posting up or driving strong to the paint.
Association Commissioner’s Cup at 6:30 p.m. today.
The Aces contained the GlobalPort offense with their fearsome pressure defense and as they forced one turnover after another. The Aces were scorching hot from the outside as they virtually turned the game into a rout as early as the second period.
The Aces were so dominant that Jefferson could afford to sit out the entire fourth quarter. He was fielded in with just five minutes left in the game and then went out for good three minutes later. He finished with 28 points and 14 rebounds.
But a lot has changed since their last meeting.
After starting the tournament with four consecutive wins the Aces have lost seven in a row. This includes their last game when they lost to the Star Hotshots, 98-102, in overtime despite leading by 21 points, 73-52, late in the third period.
In another game the Aces blew a 20-point lead against the NLEX Road Warriors. The Aces could not exploit the absence of NLEX import Wayne Chism, who fouled out with more than five minutes left to play, to bow to the Road Warriors, 92-100.
The Aces likewise suffered a painful 110-119 loss to TNT KaTropa when they could not protect a 15-point, 90-75, lead late in the third period.
In contrast the Batang Pier have won two of their past two games. They suffered a 101-112 loss to the San Miguel Beermen in their last game. Prior to that they strung together back-to-back victories against the Rain Or Shine Elasto Painters and the Meralco Bolts.
Terrence Romeo submitted 26 points, seven assists and five rebounds; import Justin Harper had 19 points and 10 rebounds; and Stanley Pringle contributed 15 points, six rebounds and three assists as GlobalPort beat Rain Or Shine.
Earlier the Batang Pier subdued Meralco, 94-86, with import Harper scoring 30 points and grabbing nine rebounds.
The biggest problem of the Aces is their injury situation. Noy Baclao is out for the full conference. Jvee Casio is in a similar boat. Nursing mild injuries but playing on are Calvin Abueva and Vic Manuel.
Abueva, with a right ankle still smarting from a sprain, was an energetic bundle of energy against Star. He scored a team-high 22 points, grabbed seven rebounds, tallied four steals and had two blocks despite playing 11 less minutes (33:57) than their import Jefferson (44:49).
Jefferson, who averages over 30 points per game, scored just 21 points against Star. Thankfully he added 13 rebounds and three blocked shots to his total.
Also stepping up for the Aces against the Hotshots were Chris Banchero and Kevin Racal. Banchero had 19 points, seven assists and two rebounds against Star. Racal finished with 13 points and eight rebounds.
These players will all have to step up in order for Alaska to snap a historic losing streak.
So, who wins between Alaska and GlobalPort? Your guess is as good as mine.