Alaska not taking Sta. Lucia lightly

Though Alaska is on a roll and easily beat Sta. Lucia in their previous contest, it’s understandable why the Aces are wary of the Realtors in their rematch in the Gran Matador PBA Fiesta Conference today.

The Realtors are on a run of their own, enjoying a rekindled fire in their game with prolific import Derrick Brown at the forefront of their bid.

Seeking solo second place in the standings behind the pacesetting San Miguel Beermen, the Aces believe they have to neutralize Brown to achieve the feat.

Alaska, currently tied with Coca-Cola on identical 9-4 win-loss records, repulsed Sta. Lucia, 88-80, in the tournament opener on Feb. 28 with Galen Young outclassing the Realtors’ original import Lamayn Wilson.

Young himself thinks he will have a job cut out for him versus Brown–the former Best Import awardee who is largely responsible for the Realtors’ resurgence in this PBA transition tourney.

Brown and the Realtors are taking on the Aces in tonight’s 7:30 p.m. main game coming off a morale-boosting win over the Red Bull Barako Thunder last Thursday in Davao City. Sta. Lucia has won four of its last five games.

The Aces must also consider that the Realtors are determined to sustain their run in a bid to finish at least fourth for a twice-to-beat advantage in the first round of the knockout phase of the tourney.

With a 9-4 card, Alaska, on the other hand, is still in strong contention for an automatic entry into the quarterfinals.