Aces face Kings, Enforcers in Dubai

MANILA, Philippines - Alaska Milk rides the crest of a hot 2-0 start as it plays back-to-back games versus Mahindra and Barangay Ginebra Friday and Saturday in another visit by the Philippine Basketball Association in Dubai.

The Aces are coming off inspiring victories over the TNT Tropang Texters and the Blackwater Elite going to the UAE capital city, a Middle East business hub with a large number of overseas Filipino workers.

The Aces, the Enforcers and the Gin Kings will be the latest PBA group to bring cheers and excitement to the OFWs there. They leave tomorrow for the PBA’s fifth jaunt in Dubai.

To underscore the PBA’s popularity in the Middle East, the organizing Clique Events Co., this early, is also looking forward to hosting games during the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

In the third conference, the PBA is set to visit Taipei.

Next year, the PBA may play initial games in Qatar and in Saudi Arabia.

“We’ve had initial talks with the Qatar and Saudi groups. They have expressed clear intention to host PBA games. Our prospective Qatar host is the Qatar basketball federation, no less,” said PBA media bureau chief Willy Marcial.

The local pro league has played official games in Indonesia, Hong Kong and Guam.

Legends games are also being sought. On Nov. 15-19, the PBA will bring over to New Zealand the group of Alvin Patrimonio, Ronnie Magsanoc, Benjie Paras, Kenneth Duremdes and Noli Locsin, among others, for a series of exhibition matches.

The Alaska Aces will be featured in a double-header in Dubai, a role the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters have played couple of times in the past.

They’ll be up for tough tests against the Gin Kings and the Elite who are both aching to snap out of a two-game slump.

Ginebra bowed to Star, 78-86, then suffered a 79-82 heartbreaker to Barako Bull in a game where the Gin Kings led by as many as 21 in the first half.

Those losses were bitter pills to swallow especially for Greg Slaughter, with his monster numbers on both games going down the drain.

He came up with 28 points and 16 rebounds against the Hotshots then came through with 27 markers and 26 boards against the Energy.

He politely declined to be interviewed after their shock loss to Barako.

“Maybe next time,” he told the scribes waiting FOR him outside their dugout Saturday.

Alaska is enjoying balanced contribution from its core group with Vic Manuel, Jvee Casio, Chris Banchero, Sonny Thoss and Calvin Abueva each averaging double-digit numbers.

Manuel leads the team in scoring with 17.5 ppg., and ranks second to Abueva in rebounding with 8.5 rpg.

Alaska has been performing well fittingly as the team is to celebrate the franchise’s 30th year in the league.