Aces, Kings go for clincher

Manila, Philippines - Alaska Milk and Barangay Ginebra are back into the groove and they’re determined to get going to clinch slots in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Final Four.

Both checking a two-game slide with key wins Friday, the Aces and the Kings hope to deliver the knockout punch versus the Air21 Express and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in their respective best-of-three quarterfinal duels.

Alaska and Ginebra go for the clincher in Game Two at the Cuneta Astrodome.

The Kings clobbered the Elasto Painters, 100-91, while the Aces nipped the Express, 91-89, in the series opener Friday.

Air21 thus is in a must-win situation once again. The Express will try to survive a third do-or-die game to stay in the hunt for a semifinals seat versus Smart Gilas.

“We’re used to playing with our back against the wall. We have reviewed the tape, made some adjustments and, who knows, we could rise above this challenge,” said Air21 coach Bong Ramos.

Rain or Shine also has one foot in the grave, but coach Yeng Guiao is confident they can get out of it.

“The series is far from over. We’ll come out fighting in Game Two,” said Guiao.

“Hassam Adams has to step up and assert himself. I’m happy with my locals. We just need to challenge their three-point shots and work harder defending their import,” Guiao also said.

Adams was limited to a personal conference low of 12 points as Rain or Shine suffered a fourth loss in four meetings with Ginebra in the season.

The Kings dominated the Elasto Painters in Game One. Ginebra coach Jong Uichico, however, looks at Game Two differently.

“Game Two is like the start of the series because Rain or Shine didn’t have enough time to prepare for Game One,” Uichico said.

Alaska coach Tim Cone, meanwhile, is hoping that his troops learn from their experience in the last Philippine Cup. 

“Against Ginebra (during the same stage in the first conference), we won Game One, lost Game Two and before we knew it we’re out,” said Cone. 

The veteran Alaska mentor stressed they can’t lower their guards against the Express who have jelled as shown by their 4-0 closing romp in the elimination round.

“They remind me of the old San Miguel team. Dorian Peña asserts himself at the paint, Danny Seigle a huge presence at forward spot, Dondon Hontiveros in the wings and the team having a good import and a good point guard. That is tough to stop,” said Cone.

On Friday, Alaska went through the proverbial eye of the needle before pulling through on a timely tip-in by Sonny Thoss.

The 6-foot-7 Alaska center was in the right place and at the right time to get one giant offensive rebound negating Air21’s season high 33 offensive caroms.

LA Tenorio rallied Alaska from the grave then Thoss made the winning play with four-tenths of a second to go as Alaska closed in on a possible semifinal confrontation with old rival Talk n Text.

“Obviously, it’s not over till it’s over as the cliché goes, but I would rather be 1-0 up than 0-1 down,” said Cone.