Aces, Llamados renew rivalry; Painters, Express collide

Alaska goes for an early share of the lead with Talk `N Text Wednesday as it clashes with defending champion B-Meg Derby Ace in the PBA Philippine Cup main game at the Astrodome. Although up against a team riddled with injuries in the 7:30 p.m. encounter, Aces coach Tim Cone is not taking the Llamados for granted. Cone witnessed how the reigning All-Filipino champions turned back his Aces despite playing without key starters Kerby Raymundo, Marc Pingris, Raffy Reavis and two-time MVP James Yap during an exhibition game down South a few weeks before the new season kicked off. “Derby Ace beat us up in Cebu in a pre-season game so we know we have our hands full," said Cone. “Jorge Gallent’s (Derby Ace coach) team plays very hard-nosed basketball." Cone is hoping the Aces have learned their lessons from the team’s debut game against the Barako Bull Boosters. While Alaska beat Barako Bull by a mile, 88-64, the Fiesta Cup champion came out flat in the early minutes of the match and found themselves behind in the early going, 0-10. The Aces outscored the Boosters, 53-30, in a strong second-half windup before securing the win and avoiding a king-sized upset. “It was certainly frustrating at the beginning. We expected the bad start because we didn’t have enough practices, but we didn’t expect it to be that bad," Cone said. Derby Ace meanwhile, opened its title defense on a bad note, dropping a 76-87 loss to Talk `N Text. Although it will take a long while before the Llamados parade a healthy line up, Gallent is hoping those remaining healthy players would be able to hold the fort until such time the injured players are reactivated. For now, Gallent believes getting rebounds will be enough to make his team competitive with the rest of the field. “We have to control the boards for us to run," said Gallent. Rain or Shine and Air21 meet each other in the 5 p.m. opener with both teams hoping to make it to the win column. The Elasto Painters lost to the Powerade Tigers, 103-111 last week, while the Express got mangled by the San Miguel Beermen, 86-100. “We have to come out mentally tougher," admitted Elasto Painters’ coach Caloy Garcia. “And we have to make stops against a tall and quick team like Air21." Top rookie pick Noy Baclao is again a doubtful starter for Air21 after suffering a knee injury that sidelined him in the Express’ debut game for the season. - RCJ, GMANews.TV