Alaska wants to bounce back, while three teams in the bottom half of the standings all look to get a much-needed win in the homestretch of the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup elimination round.
After stumbling in their last outing, the Aces (5-2) will try to get back on track as they are heavily favored in their 4:30 p.m. encounter over dreadful Columbian Dyip (0-8) at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.
Succeeding this will be a critical head-on collision between NorthPort (2-6) and Rain or Shine (1-4) at 7 p.m.
More importantly for Alaska, it wants to move a step closer to securing a berth in the quarterfinals.
The Aces suffered a 73-83 setback at the hands of league-leader Magnolia just last Sunday.
On the other hand, the Dyip still can’t get any luck as it is still winless and riding an eight-game losing streak.
Both the Batang Pier and the Elasto Painters, currently in 10th and 11th places, respectively, need a win to stay in the hunt for a spot in the top eight.
Meanwhile, Magnolia playmaker Jio Jalalon was named the Cignal-PBA Press Corps Player of the Week in the 2018 Governors’ Cup for the period of Oct. 8 to 14.
Despite playing in a guard-heavy backcourt, Jalalon has learned to find ways to shine as he averaged 15.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 9.0 assists and 1.5 steals this past week to beat teammates Paul Lee and Mark Barroca, NorthPort’s Sean Anthony and Stanley Pringle, San Miguel’s Christian Standhanrdinger and Marcio Lassiter, along with Rain or Shine big man Jewel Ponferada for the weekly citation.
Using his quickness and playmaking skills, Jalalon churned out his first-ever triple-double performance in the pro ranks, finishing with 13 points, hauling down 12 rebounds and issuing 13 assists in leading the Pambansang Manok to a 133-99 rout of the Blackwater Elite last Wednesday.
The former Arellano University standout sustained his all-around effort after scoring 18 points, grabbing nine rebounds, issuing five assists and adding a steal in helping Magnolia outlast Alaska, 83-73 Sunday night.
Magnolia has won its last five assignments overall to hold firmly to the top spot with its 7-1 record.
The Pambansang Manok have a chance to strengthen their top 4 bid in the playoffs with a win against the Meralco Bolts this Friday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
