IT is on!
The semifinals of the 2015-16 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup kicks off pitting a veteran team against an upstart as the Alaska Aces and the GlobalPort Batang Pier start their best-of-seven series.
The top-seeded Aces and the gritty No. 5-ranked GlobalPort, a first-timer in the semifinals, clash in Game 1 of their war at 7 p.m. today at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
These two squads took contrasting routes to the semifinals.
Alaska had a comfortable path to get here as it earned one of the two outright semis berths after finishing with the best record after the elimination round at 9-2.
On the other hand, the Batang Pier had to dismantle Barako Bull and then squeak past Barangay Ginebra in a dramatic finish in the two phases of the quarterfinals to get a berth in the last four.
Alaska coach Alex Compton cited two factors that his team needs to focus on to be able to have a good showing against the Batang Pier in the semis.
The Aces mentor said that defense and team chemistry will be keys to victory against GlobalPort.
‘’Our defense is pretty solid right now. We need to continue that but we also need to get better. We need to come together and be at our best in the semifinals,’’ said Compton.
Heading in, it seems like the Aces are the favorites given all their talent and championship experience, but the confident Batang Pier is certainly an entertaining challenger.
Led by its two dazzling superstars in Terrence Romeo and Stanley Pringle, GlobalPort finally got the breakthrough that it had been looking for as it finally got past the quarterfinals.
GlobalPort coach Pido Jarencio kept his answer short when asked what his team needs to do against the loaded Aces.
‘’We need to work harder pa. Iyan ang kailangan namin talaga against a tough team like Alaska,’’ said Jarencio.
Romeo, who is the league’s leading scorer, admitted that Alaska is a tough team to face and what Jarencio said was exactly what his team needs.
‘’Kailangan mag-ready kami kasi sobrang hirap kalaban ng Alaska. Kailangan maituloy namin ‘yung good habits pa namin,’’ said Romeo. ‘’Masusubukan talaga kami dito against Alaska.’’
The prolific scorer said the Batang Pier is in high spirits entering the semis given its momentum along with the confidence gained after making it this far.
‘’Tingin ko tumaas na talaga ‘yung morale namin,’’ said Romeo. ‘’Natuto and nag-improve na talaga kami.”
Game today, Jan. 4, Game 1, Semifinals
Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay City
7 p.m. – Alaska vs. GlobalPort