Giants see big Aces fightback

Source Philstar.com
Purefoods plans to keep its guard up despite a thriller of a win in Game One as it expects a big comeback by Alaska Milk in the second game of their KFC PBA Philippine Cup championship showdown at the Araneta Coliseum tonight.

The Giants outlasted the Aces in a gripping duel Wednesday, drawing first blood in the series via an 81-77 decision.

The opposing teams, however, agreed it’s just a first game and a 1-0 lead in a best-of-seven series is not much of an advantage.

“That’s just one game and the only advantage we’ve got is 1-0. Other than that, it’s still a close battle. The battle is far from over,” said Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio.

“One game doesn’t make the whole series. We’ve been in a lot of series, winning the first game and even going up 2-0 but ended up losing,” said Alaska coach Tim Cone.

The two coaches foresee another fierce encounter in Game Two with the team that is able to impose its game having the better chances of winning.

Game Two is set at 7:30 p.m. ushered in by a PWBL (Philippine Women’s Basketball League) game.

“We have to play intelligent to keep up with a fundamentally sound Alaska team. We should play slow and calculating game. We can’t be out-of-control or we’ll be pounced on by this fluid-scoring team,” said Gregorio.

“(Game One) came down to the fact that they’re able to disrupt our rhythm and played their kind of game. We can’t play loose against a good defensive team,” said Cone.

The Giants will now be setting out for a 13th straight game in the playoffs but Gregorio is hopeful their tremendous will and determination would keep them in a battle with the well-rested Aces.

Purefood is riding the momentum of a four-game romp entering Game Two.

Cone, however, is unfazed.

“We didn’t play well (Wednesday) but we battled the whole game. We can play a lot better than that,” said Cone.

The Alaska mentor also cited two crucial calls going against them in the crunch but admitted it’s part of the game which they have to overcome.

Cone also considered as positive sign winning the rebounding battle in the series opener, 52-44.

The Giants dragged the Aces to a defensive battle and came out triumphant with better execution on both ends of the court at the finish.

The two teams fought through eight deadlocks and 10 lead changes before the Giants unraveled a 8-2 killer run, taking an 80-74 lead with 35.9 seconds left to play.

Gregorio disrupted Alaska’s rhythm in putting big man Marc Pingris on point guard LA Tenorio.

On the other end, Cone had Tenorio taking on James Yap. The 5-foot-8 Alaska guard did a good job, forcing the 2006 MVP awardee to six turnovers.

Game Friday (Araneta Coliseum)
7 p.m. — Purefoods vs Alaska