Nov 12, 2019

Phoenix, Alaska determined to win to stay in the hunt for playoff berth

Phoenix Pulse coach Louie Alas has issued a message to his troops that is very well like the fighting words Alaska Milk has embraced in the homestretch of the PBA Governors Cup elims.

"It's your responsibility to finish it strong," Alas told the Fuel Masters ahead of their last two games, the first one against the Alaska Milk Aces Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

"Even if we win the next two games, may kailangan pa rin kaming ipagdasal na maka-tie. But I told the guys do not come in practice as if we have no chance," Alas pointed out, egging his players to come out strong and go all out no matter what awaits them at the end of the elims.

There's a chance they won't still make the playoffs even if they win their last two games. But mathematically, they're still in the running for the Final Eight, and the Fuel Masters are taking their chances.

The Aces have pumped back life in their own playoff hopes with back-to-back victories over the Blackwater Elite and the NorthPort Batang Pier.

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And they're determined to get going in a bid to break off a tie with Batang Pier (3-6) at eighth place and catch up with the Columbian Dyip at seventh place at 4-6.

They're in high spirits and may be bound to get better with trade acquisitions Rodney Brondial and Rob Herndon likely to have acquitted now with their new teammates.

It's been over a week since the trade that sent Chris Banchero to Magnolia.

With their old group, the Aces overcame the 72-point combined explosion of Christian Standhardinger and Michael Qualls in trouncing the Batang Pier, 106-99.
"It means a lot because because it's down the stretch," said coach Jeff Cariaso, whose guys were on a free fall before winning their last two outings.

On a dive that they desperately want to stop are the Fuel Masters.
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A win would give them a ray of hope as it could forge a multi-deadlock at seventh or eighth spot.(SB)