Boosters, Aces to fan bids in PBA old home

MANILA, Philippines - The PBA returns to the scene of some of its glorious past as the pro league revisits its old home at the Philsports Arena (formerly Ultra) for the first time in seven years, holding a crucial double-header in the homestretch of the eliminations of the season-ending Governors Cup.

Fittingly, Petron Blaze and Alaska Milk, two teams with the most memorable runs at the Pasig venue, play in the 7:30 p.m. mainer with the former bracing for a shot at the semifinals and the latter trying to stay in the fight for the “twice-to-beat incentive” in the quarterfinals.

Air21 and Talk n Text fight for survival in the 5:15 p.m. opener marked by the PBA comeback of Asi Taulava and perhaps the farewell game of import Tony Mitchell with the Texters.

Taulava and another new recruit Joseph Yeo suit up with the Express as they hope to snap a four-game losing skein. 

Still hoping to salvage a slot in the quarterfinals, Air21 sealed another trade deal yesterday acquiring Yeo from Petron Blaze for Mark Isip.

The Express are tottering on the brink of elimination with a 1-5 win-loss card.

With the Texters also in danger of missing the quarterfinals at 2-4, team manager Aboy Castro has admitted they’re looking at the option of tapping a new import for their last two games.

“Simply put, we need to find a way to win,” said coach Norman Black.

Meanwhile, though assured of a spot in the Top Four, Petron coach Gie Abanilla vowed they won’t relax and drop their competitive edge.

“We’ll continue to compete. We’ll continue to learn. We’ll continue to grow,” said Abanilla.

The Boosters secured a spot in the Top Four and a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarters as they roared past the Tropang Texters, 122-88, Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Aces, the Commissioner’s Cup champs, are in the middle of the pack at 3-3, having dropped two of their last three games.

“We need to be more consistent. We have some good sharp stretches and we have some flat ones. We know we can do better,” said Alaska coach Luigi Trillo.

The Boosters have distanced themselves from the field with a sixth straight win scored against the skidding Texters.

“We just want to try to keep grounded. Learn what we still have to learn. I think right now we could experiment on things we want to do offensively and defensively. I think that’s one luxury that we have right now,” said Abanilla.

The youthful Petron coach, however, stressed they will continue to compete.