Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
ALASKA tries to exorcise the ghost of a recent past when it puts the solo lead on the line Wednesday against tormentor San Miguel Beer in the Oppo PBA Commissioner’s Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
Game time is 7 p.m. with Alaska shooting for a first win in five encounters over the Beermen, who made history in the best-of-seven Philippine Cup Finals by erasing a 0-3 deficit and winning the last four games of the series.
It was a foldup unprecedented in the annals of Asia’s first pro league and one which could haunt the Aces in the long haul, especially if they are playing the Beermen in any series.
Winning today would move the Aces closer to a spot in the playoffs of this import-spiced conference.
Alaska has a new weapon in Shane Edwards, the reedy import who has never tasted defeat with the Aces since planing in as a replacement for the injured Rob Dozier.
San Miguel is coming off just its second defeat of the tournament, courtesy of Rain or Shine. And with cornerstone June Mar Fajardo a doubtful starter, the Beermen are expected to be more desperate for a win against the Aces.
Fajardo, who is on course to a record third straight MVP award, injured his right knee in the loss to the Elasto Painters.
Positioning is everything in this short elimination round, where the bottom four teams will get the boot and those who qualify in the upper half are rewarded with twice-to-beat advantages.
The Elasto Painters also have that in mind as they gun for their first winning streak in the tournament with the impressive Mo Charlo again expected to lead the way against Mahindra in the 4:15 p.m. game.
Charlo, Rain or Shine’s third import after Wayne Chism and the ineffective Antoine Wright, debuted with aplomb last week, handling Wilkerson and the physical San Miguel defense to lead the Painters.
“(The injury on Chism) could be a blessing in disguise for us,” said firebrand Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao after Charlo scored 35 points and snagged 13 rebounds against the Beermen.
Guiao said that Charlo could also be the import for the Painters in the season-ending Governors’ Cup after he was measured to be under 6-foot-5 before the San Miguel game and handled the Beermen’s hulking frontline.