THE last time they met in an all-Filipino conference was last year, when Ginebra scored a huge win over Alaska in a knockout quarterfinal match.
Now the Aces look much better ahead of their showdown, sitting firmly on top of the standings with the Kings suddenly struggling and on a three-game slide.
But Alaska’s top slotman Sonny Thoss noted that the Aces, at 8-1, can’t take it easy against the Kings, at 5-4.
The Aces and Kings clash at 7 p.m. See [Another uphill climb for Ginebra as it faces league leader Alaska]
The 6-foot-7 Thoss and the Aces got clobbered during last season’s Philippine Cup quarterfinal knockout match, 109-95, as Japeth Aguilar posted a PBA career-high 29 points, 13 rebounds and five blocks, and Greg Slaughter had 11 points and six boards.
“They got height, athletic wing guys and big guys,” noted the former James Cook University stalwart.
The veteran Alaska big man said it will take more than just a handful of players to defend a stacked-up Ginebra squad.
“It will take a total team effort to contain them,” explained Thoss, who turns 33 on Sunday. “And for us, every game is about creating a good habit and discipline to execute our game plan.”