San Mig battles Alaska at Hoops Dome tonight

CEBU, Philippines - Two playoff-bound teams will try to impress their Cebuano fans as the San Mig Coffee Mixers (formerly B-Meg Llamados) clash head-on with the Alaska Aces in the keenly-awaited PBA Cebu Road Tour at 6:30 tonight at the Hoops Dome in Brgy. Gun-ob, Lapu-Lapu City.

San Mig and Alaska both shoot for a win to bolster their respective bids of earning automatic semifinals berth. San Mig is currently at third place in the standings with a 5-2 win-loss record followed by Alaska at 5-3.

The Coffee Mixers of coach Tim Cone roared to their third straight victory at the expense of Brgy. Ginebra Kings, 78-68, last Sunday the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Coffee Mixers hope to sustain that sizzling run banking on their powerhouse lineup bannered by two-time MVP James Yap, explosive guard Peter June Sumon and the hardworking Marc Pingris. They could also count on the likes of Mark Barroca, Jonas Villanueva, Wesley Gonzales, Raffy Reavis, Jerwin Gaco, Joe Devance and Cebuano rookie Aldrech Ramos.

The Luigi Trillo-mentored Alaska, on the other hand, aims to bounce back after absorbing a 93-101 loss to Rain or Shine Elasto Painter last Wednesday.

Alaska will rely on their prized rookie Calvin ‘The Beast’ Abueva, Cebuano hotshot Dondon Hontiveros, JV Cyrus Baguio and JV Casio among their star players.

The Aces could also pin their hopes on Sonny Thoss, Gabby Espinas, Marnel Baracael, Tony de la Cruz, Samigue Eman, Nic Belasco, Paolo Bugia, and Brandon Cablay.

Ringside and lower box tickets are already been sold out. The remaining tickets are priced at P350 for the upper box and P150 for the general admission. (FREEMAN)