Entering their final game of the year, the Alaska Aces were on a high
After starting the season with a 0-2 slate, the Alaska Aces found their groove, stringing together three straight wins that included wins over Globalport, Meralco, and Ginebra. However, the TNT Katropa sent them crashing back down to earth in a 109-100 loss, Friday evening.
The loss was a tough pill to swallow for Calvin Abueva, who’s return 16 days ago helped spark the Aces.
“Siguro di naman sa minamaliit namin ang kalaban pero malakas din talaga ang kalaban defending champion din, nakailang title din sila,” the 6-foot-1 utility forward said.
“Sa akin parang nag-struggle din kami sa first quarter namin at second quarter namin kaya siguro lumabas na ganoon.”
True enough, their opponents came out with more energy to start the game, erecting a 16-point lead entering halftime. Behind Abueva, the Aces fought back in the third canto but immediately fell apart to start the final frame, falling by as much as 16 points once again.
“Siguro doon naging effective sa kanila yung outside shooting nila pumasok like yung kay Larry [Fonacier] at yung kay Troy [Rosario]. Dun lumakas ang kompiyansa nila sa mga tira nila,” said the 28-year-old who finished the game with 18 points and 12 rebounds but went just 3-for-8 from the stripe after going 6-for-10 in his first four games.
The Pampanga-native is hoping that this loss serves a lesson to them especially now that they are down to an even 3-3 slate.
“Siyempre masaya may break pero siyempre natalo kaya happy na lang,” Abueva quipped.
“Malaking lesson sa amin ito kasi 3-3 kami ngayon at saka siyempre hindi pa stick ang standing namin kaya kailangan naming mag-tiyaga pa,” he expressed.
“Sa susunod kasi Star ang kalaban namin tapos di ba parang umaayos na rin ang team nila? Siyempre kailangan namin yung paghandaan.”
And with 18 days to regroup, Abueva and the Alaska Aces need every moment of it to prepare for the long grind.
