When Alaska’s spiritual leader Calvin Abueva banged knees with Michael Miranda with 4:43 left during the second quarter, a collective gasp could be felt among the Aces faithful in attendance. An injury is something that the Aces Nation did not need at this stretch of the 2016-17 PBA Philippine Cup as lead guard Chris Banchero is already on the sidelines.
Abueva was able to play in the third frame but was not able to deliver his usual numbers, finishing the game with just seven points, four rebounds, and four assists in just 17 minutes of action.
But the Aces found another source of energy in the game as league sophomore Kevin Racal, who is averaging 8.0 points and 2.8 rebounds this conference. picked up his personal-high against Phoenix, scoring 20 points on 5-of-8 shooting to go along with six rebounds and a couple of steals in 37 minutes of action.
And for him, it was the sense of urgency that kicked in as a loss could have spelled the difference between a potential top two spot or a tough disadvantage in the playoffs.
“Malaking bagay ito sa team namin kasi kailangan namin ipanalo itong dalawang huling games simula dito sa Phoenix,” the 6-foot-3 swingman said after Alaska’s 106-85 routing of Phoenix.
“Alam namin yung stake ng game na ito. Kailangan talaga namin magtrabaho. Kaya nanalo kami kasi pinagtrabahuan namin ng sama-sama.”
Though his offensive output was outstanding, it was his defense that made him proud. The 11th overall pick in the 2015 PBA Draft helped limit the Fuel Masters’ backcourt duo of Simon Enciso and Matthew Wright to a combined 11-of-32 outing.
“Nag-execute lang kami ng mabuti sa offense at yung defense, nandoon pa rin,” the 25-year-old said.
“Bonus na lang yung score pero priority pa rin namin yung defense.”
Racal, who was known as a bruiser in his days with Letran, credits his renewed focus on defense to guarding the man he stepped up for in the game: Calvin Abueva. Trying to guard the former Best Player of the Conference has only made his stronger according to him.
“Sa practice, kami ang magkabantayan kaya ang laking tulong nun. Tulad sa banggaan, ready ang katawan ko.
“Ang palitan naman namin, okay lang. Nandoon ako para tumulong sa depensa,” he disclosed.
As they say, defense is the best offense.
