Alaska confident vs. skidding Petron

CEBU, Philippines - After pulling off a morale-boosting 93-72 victory over Red Bull Barako, the Alaska Aces found themselves in yet another must-win situation as they take on the Petron Blaze Boosters in the first ever bearing PBA out-to-town game to be hosted by the city government of Lapu-Lapu tomorrow night at the multi-million Hoops Dome.

The Aces' 21-point demolition of the Barakos snapped out of their five-game losing jinx and for coach Joel Banal, the propability of coming up back-to-back wins is high as the Blazers are on a slump after an impressive 3-0 start.

"Petron is sliding, they lost three games in a row. We feel we have a chance. This is a game we should win," said Banal during a press conference yesterday at The Old Spaghetti House in SM City-Cebu. "We saw a good sign (during our win against Red Bull). I hope we continue doing that."

Banal admitted that his players, specially the rookies, are still adjusting to their system since coach Tim Cone left the Alaska franchise for a fresh coaching stint with the B-Meg Derby Llamados.

"We're still working hard. We're still adjusting and we still figure things out," said Banal. "It's really hard at first because the players are adjusting to me and I am adjusting to them. It was not a good start. The pressure is mounting."

Banal though said they are slowly getting things on the right track and it's just a matter of time they will be a cohesive fore to reckon with.

"It's just bringing the new guys into the system. If we continue that, I believe we have a smoother path ahead," said Banal.

Against Petron, Banal will again squeeze the most from his big guns in the likes of Sonny Thoss, Marnel Baracael, LA Tenorio, Jay-R Reyes, Cyrus Baguio, Brandon Cablay and Tony de la Cruz.

Meanwhile, the Blaze Boosters of coach Ato Agustin are due in Cebu this morning and will face the local media in a press luncheon at Royal Concourse Restaurant.

Tickets for the Petron-Alaska joust are pegged at P800 for ringside, P500 for lower box, P300 for upperbox and P100 for general admission. (FREEMAN)