Aces, Bolts duel for solo lead

Games Friday (Smart Araneta Coliseum)

4:15 p.m. – Alaska vs Meralco

7 p.m. – Globalport vs Purefoods

MANILA, Philippines – Alaska Milk and Meralco, both off to a strong 2-0 start, clash in an exciting match in the special Halloween presentation of the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Friday night.

The Aces and the Bolts dispute the solo lead in their 4:15 p.m. matchup preceding the 7 p.m. tiff between struggling four-peat champ Purefoods Star and Globalport.

Coach Alex Compton and his Alaska team have been very impressive, opening their season with a 93-73 rout of Purefoods then squeezing through in a slam-bang game with Talk n Text, 100-98, on a buzzer-beater by Calvin Abueva.

Meralco has barely kept in step with Alaska in the team standings in pulling overtime victories over Barako Bull and Blackwater.

Meralco coach Norman Black expects a tougher test against Alaska.

“Alaska has shown its strength by taking out Purefoods and Talk n Text. This will be our biggest challenge so far this conference,” said Black.

“The keys are we have to do a good job against their pressure defense, and we must control our defensive rebounds. Keeping Calvin (Abueva) off the offensive boards will be important,” Black also said.

The Purefoods-Globalport match is as exciting even as James Yap is a doubtful starter for the Hotshots due to a hamstring injury.

The Hotshots hope to finally come out of the rut following back-to-back losses to the Aces and the San Miguel Beermen while the Batang Pier are out to get going after a 91-81 win over the Barako Bull Energy.

The Batang Pier are expected to stay on their toes with coach Pido Jarencio under evaluation by the team management.

It’s interesting to see how Stanley Pringle, Terrence Romeo and Alex Cabagnot fare against PJ Simon, Mark Barroca, Alex Mallari and Justin Melton.

Yancy de Ocampo, meanwhile, could well be extra motivated playing his former team.