Alaska Aces’ Cyrus Baguio urges locals to step up. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
For Alaska to equalize the best-of-7 Finals series on Sunday, the local supporting cast must be there for import Rob Dozier.
Cyrus Baguio said that part of the Aces’ undoing in their 105-97 defeat to Rain or Shine in Game 1 was the lack of help from the usually red hot Aces offense.
“Tingin ko kulang lang ang locals. Kailangan mag-step up yung iba para matulungan namin si Rob,” he said.
Dozier kept Alaska afloat with his 41 points and 15 rebounds, but without enough help, he wasn’t able to
save the Aces in the end.
Baguio gave Dozier credit, saying the returning import is back to his championship form.
“Maganda yung nilaro ni Rob kanina. Bumabalik na yung laro nya tulad nung nag-champion kami nung 2013.”
The former UST stalwart also pointed out that poor defense keyed in their doom as the Aces allowed Rain or Shine to 48 percent shooting from the field including 14 out of 27 treys.
“Yung defense talaga ang problema namin,” he said. “Tingin namin kaya naman eh, pero yung maliliit na bagay: miscommunication, maraming errors, di namin na-execute yung offense sa last three minutes. Mahirap talaga depensahan ang Rain or Shine kasi yung big man nila tumitira sa three points, ang hirap sa rotation dahil kailangan namin yung legs para humabol sa kanila. Doon kami nahirapan.”
Baguio, however, remains confident that Alaska coaching staff will figure out a counter just in time for Game 2.
“Sana magawan ng paraan ni coach sa next game. Yun talaga kasi ang laro nila: transitions and ball screens. Doon kami nadadali,” he said. “Mahaba pa yung series, marami pang mangyayari. Ang importante, positive pa rin kami na makakabalik pa kami.”