ALASKA and Magnolia look to gain headway as they collide once again on Friday in the PBA Governors’ Cup finals at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
The Aces and the Hotshots resume play at 7 p.m. following a controversial Game Four in which Mark Barroca was caught throwing a closed fist to the groin area of Chris Banchero late in the fourth quarter.
Barroca was slapped with a P50,000 fine for the action, but will play in Game Five after escaping suspension from the Office of the Commissioner.
Alaska won Game Four, 90-76, to tie the series at two games apiece, but head coach Alex Compton said the Aces have a long way to go.
“It doesn’t mean anything. We are now starting a best-of-three… I’m proud of my guys. They took the punches and they kept going,” said Compton.
Mike Harris led the way for Alaska in the Game Four win after tallying 34 points and 22 rebounds for the Aces on the night he claimed the Best Import award.
Magnolia coach Chito Victolero remained confident about their chances in the series despite losing a 2-0 lead in the finals.
“Good thing we are up 2-0. We lost the last two games and now, tie na ‘yung series so it boils down to a best-of-three. Ito naman ‘yung ineexpect namin even at the start of the series. We expect a long series. So it’s about the mental now,” said Victolero.
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