Baguio cleared to play for Aces vs Kings

Games today (Smart Araneta Coliseum)

4:15 p.m. – Barako Bull vs San Mig Coffee

6:30 p.m. – Alaska vs Ginebra

MANILA, Philippines - Cyrus Baguio has been cleared of any major injury making the Alaska Milk Aces more optimistic they can get going as they tangle with the skidding Barangay Ginebra Kings in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum today.

Results of Baguio’s MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) test showed the Alaska top gun is free of any damage in his left knee that he hurt in a collision with teammate Jayvee Casio Friday night.

“He can play,” Alaska coach Luigi told The STAR.

Alaska and Ginebra clash at 6:30 p.m. with the Aces looking to stretch their searing run to four games while the Kings try to check a three-game slump.

San Mig Coffee and Barako Bull also seek to arrest skids as they mix it up in the other game at 4:15 p.m.

“Needless to say, we need a big bounce back game. We lost two tough games to two high quality teams, but there were stretches in both games where we played good basketball,” said San Mig Coffee coach Tim Cone. “There’s no reason for us to lose confidence in ourselves. We expect to come out firing on all cylinders tomorrow.”

The Mixers are at 2-2 while the Energy Cola are a half game behind at 2-3.

Posting just three wins in the same tournament last season and just two victories in the last Governors Cup, Alaska has turned to be a revelation in the new season with a strong 3-2 start.

Prized rookie Calvin Abueva delivered a second straight double-double game, helping Alaska Milk stretch its romp to three games with a dominant 92-81 victory over Air21 Friday.

“It’s nice to have this run. The last time we had this was July, 2010 when we had Jason Forte as import. It’s a baby step but it’s really nice to have it,” said Alaska coach Luigi Trillo.

“Of course, we want to keep on doing what we’re doing right. For one, we’ll continue to work hard on defense,” Trillo added.

Acknowledging Alaska’s progress, Ginebra coach Siot Tanquingcen is hoping they get their act together as he expects a tough battle versus the Aces.

After a 2-0 start, the Kings have since lost their last three games, bowing to the Meralco Bolts, the Barako Bull Energy Cola and the Petron Blaze Boosters.

After losing their first two games, the Aces, on the other hand, have turned around, stringing up straight victories over the Energy Cola, the Boosters and the Air21 Express.

Meanwhile, Talk n Text outmaneuvered Rain or Shine at crunch time in their Phoenix Fuel-sponsored road game in Victorias, Negros Occidental last night, eking out an 80-77 victory to keep a perfect record in the season.  

Jimmy Alapag and Ranidel de Ocampo hit the most important buckets giving the Texters a fifth straight win.

Jayvee Casio and Sonny Thoss dished out remarkable efforts coming off the bench as the Aces continued to play a good balanced game versus the Express, notching their longest streak in two years.

Alaska caught up with Meralco at third place at 3-2 while sending Air21 deeper down the cellar at 1-5.

The Aces surged past the Air21 side with an impeccable game they sustained even on the exit of Baguio early in the fourth quarter due to a knee injury.

Baguio, Alaska’s main man, had made 15 points, three rebounds, one assist and one block before being helped to the bench with 9:57 left to play.