With Abueva inserted into the Phoenix rotation, the Fuel Masters remain unbeaten in two games, having toppled the Columbian Dyip and NorthPort Batang Pier in convincing fashion.
But Alaska hasn’t been a slouch either this conference. With Simon Enciso finding his range and Chris Banchero providing steady leadership, the Aces have joined the Fuel Masters on top following a couple of runaway victories at the expense of title contenders TNT KaTropa and Meralco Bolts.
“It’s going to be a good matchup. We will definitely enjoy it,” said Abueva, who helped the Aces capture the 2013 PBA Commissioner’s Cup title during his rookie year, in Filipino.
The absence of fireworks in his statement seems to be in line with the team stance regarding the looming matchup.
Coach Louie Alas, his face half in shadow as Phoenix wrapped up a practice session, said there was nothing special about the game against the Aces other than it is another match the Fuel Masters need to win.
“We prepared the way we always do,” said Alas. Gesturing to reporters and TV crew that popped up during their practice, he added: “I understand you guys find it interesting and you see the drama. But as I told the players, we can’t get caught up in all of that. We have to play hard, we have to execute.”
Most of Alas’ concern centered on one thing: “Since I came here, we’ve been crushed in the two games we played against Alaska. As early as the second quarter, we already lost the game. That has to change.”
After six seasons with the Aces, Abueva was traded to the Fuel Masters prior to the conference in exchange for a first-round pick and Karl Dehesa.
Abueva also said he won’t get caught up with the emotions of his first meeting with his first PBA ballclub. He and his teammates are focused on winning two more games before the league takes a breather to accommodate the Fiba World qualifiers.
“We have been focusing on our first four games before the break. There’s no rest until the end of the month,” said Abueva.
They will take on the TNT KaTropa on Friday before going through an 18-day vacation prior to the Fuel Masters’ Sept. 19 face-off with the Bolts.
Eugene Phelps averaged 40 points the past two games for Phoenix, definitely a cause of great concern for the Alaska frontline led by Mike Harris.
“Mike is doing a great job limiting the activity in the paint. He’s a defensive catalyst for us and I hope we continue doing the things that we did the two previous games,” said Alaska coach Alex Compton.
The NLEX Road Warriors replaced the injured Olu Ashaolu and will unveil Aaron Fuller in their meeting with the Columbian Dyip in the curtain-raiser at 4:30 p.m.
Battling through pain, Ashaolu just couldn’t stop the Road Warriors from sliding to their first defeat against the Magnolia Hotshots three games into the season-ending conference.
Akeem Wright is again expected to lead the offensive chores for the Dyip.