THE last time Alaska started 0-2 in a conference was in the 2010 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Fiesta Cup with Diamon Simpson as its import.
But the Aces were able to recover from that poor start and went on to beat San Miguel Beer in the best-of-seven finals in six games.
The Wilfred Uytengsu-owned franchise is facing the same scenario as it dropped its first two assignments in the season-ending Governor’s Cup, but this time, head coach Tim Cone looks wary because he knows the situation is much different compared with 2010.
Alaska tries to snap out of the skid against B-MEG in Wednesday’s main game at 7:15 p.m., as Powerade and Air21 also shoot for their first win when they collide in the opener at 5 p.m.
The Aces absorbed their second-straight loss on Saturday at the hands of Meralco, 78-81, in Lanao del Norte, but the effort was a far cry from their humiliating 75-101 defeat to grand slam-seeking Talk ’N Text in their first game.
“The last time we started the conference with two losses, it was Diamon Simpson who was our import and we liked how that ended,” said Cone, referring to their six-foot-six versatile reinforcement who gave the Aces their 13th PBA title.
“So there’s no panic in our thoughts. But we do realize that this is a shorter conference and we have to have a much greater sense of urgency and we have to play the game a lot harder. We have to [step everything up],” he added.
Jason Forte is now Alaska’s import and he has not been doing a Simpson for the team.
They will be facing a rejuvenated Llamados squad, which came from a 103-90 victory over the Tigers to improve to a 1-1 card.
Peter June Simon covered for Stefon Hannah’s anemic eight-game performance against Powerade as he exploded with 33 points, but coach Jorge Gallent is hoping their import will be more involved offensively in their next assignments.
“Okay naman pero we need him to score more. Buti na lang PJ [Simon] was able to provide the scoring for us,” said Gallent.
Another interesting piece in the main game will be leading Most Valuable Player candidate Joe Devance, who will be playing against his former team for the first time.
Powerade and Air21, meanwhile, started flat in the tournament and their coaches concurred that they need to start winning to stay in the hunt for a spot in the top six.
“We really want to make it very simple for us. We need a win to get our bearings back. The team is committed to do everything to make it happen,” said Tigers head coach Bo Perasol.
Powerade is the only team allowed to field a six-foot-six import in the tournament but in two games, the Tigers have yet to exploit that advantage.
Air21, on the other hand, has yet to flash the chemistry that carried the Express to the semifinals of the previous tournament.
“We need to get over the hump and start winning. We will go one game at a time,” said Air21 coach Bong Ramos.
