Aces tread injury path

Coaches Alex Compton of Alaska (left) and Chito Victolero of Magnolia let it all hang out during the PBA Finals press conference on Tuesday. PBA IMAGES

Magnolia advanced to the Finals of the PBA Governors’ Cup using its speed to dismantle hulking Barangay Ginebra in the Final Four.

It’s safe to say that the Hotshots will not veer away from their recipe of success when they collide in a best-of-seven series with the Alaska Aces starting Dec. 5 to determine the season-ending conference champion.

That is why Aces coach Alex Compton is not taking any chances in allowing injuries to guards Chris Banchero and JV Casio to heal, saying they “will take their time.”

The duo will be an integral part in matching up with the Hotshots’ deadly speed, Compton reiterated.

“They are super important,” Compton told the Inquirer over the phone on Tuesday afternoon after the Aces’ first practice this week sans Banchero and Casio. “Those are guys we’ve relied on (throughout the conference).”

Casio’s feared hamstring pull near the end of Game 4 against the Gin Kings is not that bad, according to Alaska head athletic trainer Gus Vargas.

Banchero’s condition is a little worse, but Vargas believes it will heal in time for the series opener at Mall of Asia Arena.

“They have spasms, but Chris’ condition, the injury being in the groin, makes it difficult for him to move laterally,” Vargas said. “We have to slowly break him in to not risk aggravating his condition.”

Banchero is the Aces’ leading assists man, “he’s our main creator,” Compton said.

Paul Lee and Marc Barroca were match-up problems for Ginebra’s big roster, with the Hotshots punishing the Kings every time the crowd favorites went big.

Ginebra coach Tim Cone admitted he had to limit Greg Slaughter’s minutes because the 7-footer found it difficult playing at such a breakneck pace. When they couldn’t impose their size, they became easier pickings for Chito Victolero’s crew.

Compton knows they wouldn’t be able to stop Magnolia’s dynamic backcourt duo, but they will still set out to come close to doing that.

Alaska will try to snap a five-year title drought, while Magnolia will be looking to win its first title after the Tim Cone era, who guided the Hotshots (then known as the San Mig Super Coffee Mixers) to a Grand Slam in 2013-2014.