Pascual looking forward to big game vs former team Star

Jake Pascual is hoping his emotions won’t get the best of him when Alaska faces his old team Star on Wednesday.

“I hope there are no [distractions], but sometimes you can’t stop it especially if you’re against the teammates you had before. I hope it doesn’t get the better of us and we stay with the gameplan,” said Pascual.

Pascual was traded to Alaska in a one-on-one swap in exchange of Rome dela Rosa last December 9. Since then, the Hotshots went 2-1 to improve to an even 3-3 standing.

But the hardworking forward isn’t too surprised at all with the way Star has been playing.

“Even when I was there, we were talking about how strong the team is. We can see it with the way we practice, it’s just that we fell short in our first three games. But you can see the improvements, that our game was going up compared to last conference.”

Pascual isn’t bothered that Hotshots have been performing better after his trade, but rather is elated for his former comrades that they are slowly regaining the old winning ways of the Hotshots.

“When I was traded, that was when their game came out. They’re now very dangerous. I’m happy for my former teammates because they’re finally showing the game they had in the offseason.”

For his part, Pascual has also made a good account of himself with the Aces, averaging 3.3 points and 5.0 rebounds in his three games for his new team, and more importantly, providing muscle down low with the team still missing big men Sonny Thoss and Noy Baclao.

Though he doesn’t have an axe to grind against Star, Pascual said that he’s really looking forward to the duel, especially with Alaska and Star both jostling for playoff positioning midway in the 2017 PBA Philippine Cup.

“I’m excited for tomorrow’s game. It’s a big game because we’re both 3-3, so who wins will rise and whoever will lose will stay at the bottom. For me, it’s not about facing my former team, as long as I’m playing my game and I’ll play well. We prepared hard for this.”

However, don’t think there isn’t anything at stake in this game, with Pascual sharing that he’s looking forward in getting that free Starbucks drink from his teammates Ian Sangalang and Allein Maliksi.

“I still talk to them; [we were teasing each other about] who’s going to treat us to Starbucks. We’re still messaging. The bonding is still there even if I changed teams.”