Aces, Llamados duel in battle of champs

MANILA, Philippines - Alaska seeks to keep a run that dates back to its Fiesta Conference title conquest while B-MEG Derby Ace tries to bounce back from a loss to Talk n Text Wednesday as they clash in an exciting duel of champions tonight in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Astrodome.

The Fiesta Conference champs and the all-Filipino titlists mix it up at 7:30 p.m. after the 5 p.m. faceoff between the Air21 Express and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.

The Aces are out to catch the Talk n Text Tropang Texters (2-0) at the helm while the Llamados, the Express and the Elasto Painters are all hoping to break into the win-column in their second outing in the tourney.

“It’s so early in the conference so we’re not too concerned with who we’re playing. We’re just trying to get our own game straightened out and that’s really what our focus is right now,” said Alaska coach Tim Cone.

“We have to adjust to the calls and we have to play 48 minutes of aggressive basketball,” said Derby Ace coach Jorge Gallent, implying they’re the underdogs versus the Aces.

Gallent said they may be the defending champions but they’ve been reduced to a “middle-of-the-pack team” with injuries to key frontcourt players Kerby Raymundo, Marc Pingris and Rafi Reavis.

Jerwin Gaco could plug some holes as he finally joins Derby Ace. The bruiser from La Salle was not allowed to play in the team’s initial game versus Talk n Text due to paper matters.

“We need to control the boards in order for us to run,” said Gallent, hopeful they can cope up with the Aces’ run-and-gun game.

The Aces were impressive in their 88-64 thrashing of the Barako Bull Energy Boosters Friday.

Joe De Vance and Cyrus Baguio churned out double-double numbers while LA Tenorio and Sonny Thoss contributed combined stats of 29 points and 14 rebounds as they kept the Aces going coming from their recent Fiesta Cup title run.

The Elasto Painters likewise plan to play up-tempo in a bid to offset the Express’ height advantage.

“We’re facing one of the league’s biggest teams. We need to work hard on rebounding so we can run,” said Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia.

Air21 has become a big team on the entry of Rabeh Al-Hussaini and Nonoy Baclao.

Al-Hussaini, the season’s second draft pick, had a decent pro debut, churning out 16 points, 11 rebounds and one assist against three turnovers versus San Miguel Beer.

Baclao, the first pick, missed the game due to a foot injury he sustained in practice.