ALASKA aims to get back on track against a winless Phoenix Super LPG side bannered by its former player Vic Manuel in an interesting Saturday matchup in the 46th PBA Philippine Cup.
The Aces slipped to 1-1 after dropping an 84-82 heartbreaker to Magnolia on a buzzer-beater by Ian Sangalang last Wednesday, and can quickly make amends in the 3:45 p.m. main game at the Ynares Sports Arena.
"I'm confident with the process Alaska is going through and we also know what we need to bring in Saturday's game," said Aces coach Jeff Cariaso.
Cariaso's charges had opened their season with an impressive 103-77 demolition of Blackwater. The Aces could have gone 2-0 the next game but committed a costly turnover in the dying seconds and failed to stop Magnolia's final offensive that saw Paul Lee setting up Sangalang the winner.
The Fuel Masters, for their part, groped for form coming off a semifinal stint in the last All-Filipino bubble.
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The Matthew Wright-led Phoenix first fell victim to the Hotshots (73-80) then suffered a deflating 79-115 beating from NorthPort.
Coach Topex Robinson said the team is still a work in progress at this point especially with new players like Manuel.
"We are in the process of building up with the new core of players. So the more we play the better it is for us," Robinson said.
"Alaska will be coming out and will give us a strong challenge," he added.
Cariaso expects the same.
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"Phoenix will bounce back with a vengeance so we have to be ready. The talent level there is too high for them not to come out ready for battle," said Cariaso.
"We know what we're up against," he added.
That includes the "Muscle Man" Manuel, who used to be Alaska's vital cog but sought to be traded away at the end of Season 45.
The Aces granted his wish and dealt him to the Fuel Masters in exchange for Brian Heruela and draft picks.(OL)
