Alaska shoots for No. 7

source: Waylon Galvez | mb.com.ph

Alaska tries to extend its winning streak to seven this Friday when it battles winless Rain or Shine while defending champion Talk ’N Text meets unpredictable Barako Bull in the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo City.

Currently on top with an immaculate 6-0, win-loss slate, the Aces take on the struggling Elasto Painters (0-6) at 7:30 p.m., right after the 5 p.m. encounter between the Tropang Texters (3-2) and the Energy Boosters (2-3).

Sta. Lucia Realty, on the other hand, battles the Smart-Gilas national team in the curtain raiser at 2:30 p.m.

The Aces are coming off an 87-73 victory over the Burger King Whopper a week ago to match the franchise best record of 6-0 set in the 1996 Commissioner’s Cup. That same year, Alaska became only the fourth team to achieve a “Grand Slam” finish.

However, Alaska is facing a team hungry for a first win.

While the Aces are on a roll, the Painters are in their worst start since joining the PBA in 2006.

Quick to caution that things won’t be easy is Alaska coach Tim Cone, who is not big on superstitious beliefs although he warned “we’ll need to be on our toes with it being Friday the 13th and everything.”

“Seriously, Rain or Shine’s record does not reflect their play,” Cone said. “They’ve had some tough games and some tough luck. We can’t get lulled into thinking we can just show up and win. We’ll have to earn it, that’s for sure.”

Rain or Shine lost to Barangay Ginebra last Sunday (77-86) but one of its owners, Raymund Yu, said that coach Caloy Garcia will remain as the team’s mentor despite rumors that he is on his way out because of team’s bad start.

“We’re playing the only undefeated and very cohesive team,” Garcia said. “We need to focus against Alaska. We haven’t been playing well lately. We should start playing as a team and be aggressive on both ends of the court.”

In the other game, Talk ’N Text coach Chot Reyes expects a close fight when they face dangerous Barako Bull, which, despite not having a “superstar” player on its rosters, has won two of its five games this conference.

“That’s our focus now because Barako Bull is a very dangerous team,” Reyes said, adding that forward Harvey Carey remains a doubtful starter because of a strained right knee, while wingman Jared Dillinger is still bothered by a bruised right rib despite playing the last time.

The Texters are fresh from a 103-94 victory over the Coca-Cola Tigers the other night while the Energy Boosters lost to the Kings (86-94) last week.

Games this Friday (Ynares Sports Center)
2:30 p.m. — Smart-Gilas vs Sta. Lucia
5:00 p.m. — Barako Bull vs Talk ’N Text
7:30 p.m. — Alaska vs Rain or Shine

Read more: http://teampilipinas.info/2009/11/alaska-shoots-for-no-7.html#ixzz0WiQQ1ZNg