What’s bugging Alaska?

While all eyes in the PBA Philippine Cup are, as usual, on powerhouses San Miguel Beer and Barangay Ginebra, one traditional heavyweight has been getting attention the wrong way—by struggling to get over the hump for quite some time now.

Alaska, a team rich with championship heritage, has been fumbling quite a bit and needs a lot of catching up to do in order to return to the list of the PBA’s elite teams—and in contention for the league’s crown jewel.

After two straight losses to open up their Philippine Cup campaign—losses that have come on the heels of two truly forgettable conferences—the Aces try to regroup against the Meralco Bolts at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.

Coach Alex Compton emphasized the fact that “we have no opportunities to give away” when the Aces take the Big Dome floor at 7 p.m. against the Bolts.

“I know we have had a tough run, but I just love my players,” Compton said as he asked his charges to always keep the sense of urgency present in every game. “We haven’t played a good game yet.”

Compton is hopeful that one of these days—and hopefully soon—things will turn around for the Aces.

“If we have been playing the way we have been practicing, I’m sure we could have seen far different results (in our games),” he said. “Problem is, we have been leaving our A-Game at (Hoops) gym (their practice facility.”

Alaska has the manpower to contend, with Calvin Abueva and Vic Manuel standing as two of the best power forwards in the league and JV Casio and Chris Banchero able sentinels.

“The difficulties of last season are over and done with,” he said. “We’re leaving that behind. What we need to do is be sharper (in games), and we haven’t done that yet. I just hope we do that sooner than later.”

Paul Lee spearheads Magnolia (1-1) against winless Kia Picanto and new coach Ricky Dandan in the 4:30 p.m. opening game.

Chris Gavina resigned as Kia coach last week over differences with management on player movement, giving Dandan the chance to call the shots in the pro league for the first time and inheriting a Picanto crew that is without a doubt the weakest team on paper.