WITH their war back to square one, the Alaska Aces and the GlobalPort Batang Pier go at it harder as they resume their best-of-seven semifinal series in the 2015-16 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup.
Their series squared at 1-1, the Aces and the Batang Pier battle in Game 3 of their playoff at 7 p.m. today at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City with the victor gaining a vital upperhand.
Following the surprise Game 1 drubbing that it received from GlobalPort to start the series, the dominant version of Alaska returned in Game 2 as it bounced back to even things up.
Last Wednesday night, the top-seeded Aces manhandled the Batang Pier, sending them back to earth with an impressive 100-76 rout to even the series and avoid a disastrous 0-2 hole.
Alaska coach Alex Compton was not only relieved that the series is now tied, but is also grateful that his team is back on track.
He is hoping that his squad can carry it through in Game 3.
‘’We’re faster and sharper now. We have more energy on defense. I’m hoping we can sustain and carry all of that to the next game,’’ said Compton. ‘’In the PBA, you have to consistently do difficult things.’’
As the series approaches its midpoint, players from both sides, who are willing to scrap for the win, are playing a more physical series.
In the opening quarter of Game 2, a commotion nearly erupted into a brawl after a shoving incident involving Alaska’s Calvin Abueva, Vic Manuel and Dondon Hontiveros as well as GlobalPort’s Anthony Semerad and Jay Washington. Players and team officials rushed to the playing court as they tried to separate the players and protect their teammates.
After the smoke cleared, 13 technical fouls on players and team officials, were imposed by referees. Later in the game, Washington was ejected for incurring his second technical when he elbowed Abueva on the head.
That game ended with a total of 16 technical fouls being given out, matching Alaska and Shell’s record back in 1997.
Compton doesn’t expect the physicality to tone down. He said both teams need to prepare themselves for more hard-nosed basketball from this point on.
‘’I think we must be willing to sacrifice our bodies and be ready to play basketball. We need to be ready both ways,’’ he said.
After a 41-point explosion in Game 1, Terrence Romeo was contained by an improved Alaska defense. He was held to only 20 points in Game 2.
A bounce-back game from Romeo in Game 3 will certainly be huge for GlobalPort. The key for Alaska is to continue limiting the deadly scorer as much as it can.
Meanwhile, defending champion San Miguel Beer is playing a similar best-of-seven semifinal series against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters. San Miguel holds a 1-0 advantage after erasing a 20-point deficit to win Game 1 last Tuesday.
Game Today, Game 3, Semifinals
Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay City
7 p.m. – Alaska vs. GlobalPort