Vic Manuel sure knows how it feels to lose a twice-to-beat advantage.
Back in the 2017 Philippine Cup, the Alaska Aces headed into the quarterfinals armed with a twice-to-beat edge. All they had to do then was to maximize their advantage by dispatching the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.
However, fate had other plans.
The Gin Kings, ranked seventh that time, overcame the odds and the Aces’ advantage by winning two straight. They eventually became the runners-up in the 2017 All-Filipino tilt to league powerhouse San Miguel Beermen.
Moments such as those are difficult to forget, which is why Manuel and the Milkmen are hard-pressed to prevent history from repeating itself in the 2018 Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals, which will start next week.
The Aces have secured a win-once incentive – and have finalized the quarterfinal picture – after besting former Alaska coach Louie Alas and the Phoenix Fuel Masters, 114-91, Friday evening at the Cuneta Astrodome.
“‘Di na namin sasayangin yung opportunity,” said Manuel, who had 28 points in the win. “Hangga’t may chance kami dapat i-grab namin. Malaking bagay talaga yung twice-to-beat isang panalo lang nandun ka na ulit sa semis.
“Kaya siguro dapat i-ride na lang namin yung twice-to-beat. Kailangan unang game pa lang buhos na namin lahat para makuha namin yung panalo para makabalik kami sa semis,” added the 30-year-old power forward.
Until this Saturday ends, the Aces will not know which team will they face in the quarter. But for Manuel and Alaska, that doesn’t matter, vowing that they will prepare as hard as they could to prevent blowing up their edge.
“Alam naman natin pagdating ng playoffs, ‘di ka pa rin nakakasiguro sa twice-to-beat kasi nagiiba talaga yung laro ng bawat team. So kailangan mas maging prepared kami at mas ready kami pagdating ng playoffs,” he said.
“Kailangan pagbalik namin sa practice, mas focus[ed] kami sa dapat naming gawin,” he pointed out.
“Kung sino yun makakatapat namin kailangan mas maganda yung magiging preparation namin bago kami sumabak sa playoffs.”
