Aces seek playoff slot vs Road Warriors

Asi Taulava of NLEX (dark) vs Calvin Abueva of Alaska (light). PBA IMAGE by Nuki Sabio

ALASKA tries to reclaim a piece of the lead while booking a spot in the first round of the playoffs when it tackles NLEX in the PBA Governors’ Cup eliminations Tuesday at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

Running second with a 4-1 card, the Aces hope to take the momentum of a 92-86 win over defending champion Star Hotshots into their 4:15 p.m. clash with the Road Warriors and the electrifying Kwame Alexander.

This is practically a must-win situation for NLEX, which shares the cellar with Rain or Shine at 1-4, as sides start jockeying not only for playoff spots but for the top four positions most of all.

Talk ‘N Text and Meralco have the same thing in mind when the sister squads mix it up at 7 p.m., with the Bolts looking for their first back-to-back wins and the Tropang Texters trying to crash the top four.

Finishing in the top four carries utmost importance as those in the lower half would need to beat higher-ranked foes two straight times to march on to the Final Four. The four teams at the bottom will get the boot.

Idle Barako Bull and San Miguel Beer have booked places in the quarterfinals after notching fifth victories on Sunday night, with the Energy reclaiming the solo lead after a 113-102 decision of Rain or Shine.

The Beermen, meanwhile, scored a 100-85 ripping of Barangay Ginebra. Those victories put the powerhouse Elasto Painters and Gin Kings at 1-4 and in danger of elimination.

Romeo Travis has been a very consistent force for the Aces, the Philippine Cup runners-up.

Alexander has been an entertaining sight to watch, but the Road Warriors have struggled. But with Michael Madanly again nearing top form, NLEX could come out as a better team today.

Cyrus Baguio, Dondon Hontiveros, Sonny Thoss, Calvin Abueva and JV Casio form the local nucleus of Alaska, possibly the most disciplined team in the field.