MANILA, Philippines — Meralco and Alaska try to stay unbeaten Tuesday when they clash against separate foes in the PBA Philippine Cup eliminations at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
The Bolts take to the floor first at 4:15 p.m. against newcomer Blackwater, while the Aces, who ran defending champion Purefoods to the ground in their debut, battle Talk ‘N Text in the 7 p.m. game.
Meralco and Alaska try to join idle San Miguel Beer and Barangay Ginebra for the early lead with the Bolts expected to pin a third straight loss on the Elite.
Alaska made heads turn in its 93-73 rout of the Star Hotshots last week as the Aces played with so much intensity that coach Alex Compton admitted to pulling the reins on his players late in the game.
The impressive debut underscored the tremendous work of Alaska in preparing for this tournament with Compton closing the doors on the public and media in workouts and allowing a glimpse of his Aces only during preseason games.
Calvin Abueva typified Alaska’s dizzying effort on both ends against the Hotshots and will again lead the Aces against the Tropang Texters, who are expected to be more complete Tuesday night.
Ranidel de Ocampo, the Gilas Pilipinas mainstay, was broken the last time by new coach Jong Uichico and will likely play major minutes for the Tropang Texters.
Jimmy Alapag could also suit up and reclaim his role as the Texters’ heart and soul.
Blackwater, meanwhile, showed marked improvement in its last game, a narrow loss to rock-solid Rain or Shine, but will again be the underdog when the Elite face the Bolts of coach Norman Black.
Meralco will be coming off a double overtime victory over Barako Bull where the veteran Reynel Hugnatan tossed in a career-high 28 points capped by the win-clinching charities in the dying seconds.
Meanwhile, Japeth Aguilar of Barangay Ginebra, after averaging 17 points, 14 rebounds and four blocks in Barangay Ginebra’s first two wins, was named by the PBA Press Corps as its Accel-Player of the Week for the period covering Oct. 19 to 26.