PBA Philippine Cup: Alaska Aces vs. NorthPort Batang Pier

[Mary C]

 

The Alaska Aces will play one more game before exiting the PBA Bubble, as they take on the NorthPort Batang Pier, who are looking for a victory to improve their chances of receiving a higher seed in the next playoffs.

The NorthPort Batang Pier stands at 5-5 while Alaska Aces stands at 3-7

 

The North Batang Pier Starting Five:

 

PG: Robert Bolick

SG: Jerrick Balanza

SF: Jamie Malonzo

PF: Sidney Onwubere

😄 Greg Slaughter

 

Following a heartbreaking 90-89 defeat to the Magnolia Hotshots, the Batang Pier bounced back with a 91-88 win over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in their most recent game. On Rain or Shine, Greg Slaughter let out all of his anger from a late-game substitution versus Magnolia. In the Rain or Shine game, the former Ateneo Blue Eagles player scored 25 points and collected 11 rebounds.

 

Robert Bolick added 24 points, six rebounds, and seven assists to his stat line. In this event, Slaughter is acting like a guy on a mission. While Alaska's frontcourt has enough big men to help him out, the Aces may not have the stamina to do so for the entire game, given how many games they've played in such a brief duration. Alaska may be too exhausted to keep up with NorthPort, which is second in the league in pace (89.83) and third in possessions per game this conference (90.77).

 

The Alaska Aces starting Five:

 

PG: Mike DiGregorio

SG: Maverick Ahanmisi

SF: Jeron Teng

PF: Rodney Brondial

😄 Abu Tratter

 

The Aces' playoff hopes were dashed in perhaps the most heartbreaking way possible. Marcio Lassiter hit a game-winning three in Alaska's game against the San Miguel Beermen on Wednesday, resulting in a 101-100 loss. The Aces are essentially out of playoff contention after that loss, and therefore will play a meaningless game versus NorthPort today.

 

But, because Alaska is a passionate club that doesn't take any match lightly, expect the team to handle Thursday's game as if it were any other. Facing Junemar Fajardo and the Beermen, Alaska's big men shone, with Abu Tratter and Rodney Brondial scoring 24 and 17 points, respectively. They can delve deep and make a last-ditch effort to beat a Batang Pier team that is averaging 87.0 points per game in the league.

 

Catch the game later, September 23 at 4:35 PM (GMT+8)