Aces take another crack at semifinals

MANILA, Philippines - Alaska Milk takes another shot at an outright playoff for a semifinal berth as it collides with a Sta. Lucia squad hot in chase of the front-runners in the KFC PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum tonight.

The Aces and the Realtors square off at 7:30 p.m. with both out to firm up their bid for a spot atop the leaderboard at the close of the double round-robin elimination phase.

Though losing its last two games, Alaska still has a good chance to finish ahead of the rest of the pack with an 11-3 win-loss card.

The Aces blew their first crack at an outright playoff berth after bowing to the Barangay Ginebra Kings, 90-93, in a road game in Batangas City Saturday.

“I thought the second half of our Ginebra game showed the effects of our long layoff. We just didn’t have our game legs. We expect to be in better game shape when we play Sta. Lucia,” said Alaska coach Tim Cone.

“We’re facing another must-win situation. We have to bring in our defensive mentality if we want to get back at Alaska,” said Sta. Lucia coach Boyet Fernandez.

Two wins in their last three games will guarantee the Aces of the second outright semis berth.

San Miguel Beer, the team, which clinched the first outright semis spot with a 13-3 card, takes on Coca-Cola at 5 p.m.

While the Beermen are now priming themselves up for the playoffs, the Tigers, on the other hand, are out to check their slump and avoid early exit in the tourney.

Coca-Cola has reactivated Cesar Catli in place of Francis Allera.

Earlier, the Tigers acquired the services of Gary David and Chico Lanete from Burger King in exchange for Alex Cabagnot and Wesley Gonzales.