ALASKA can’t make the same mistake anew against Magnolia if it is to bounce back in the PBA Governors Cup finals.
Star big man Vic Manuel stressed the obvious after the Aces got tired trying to catch the Hotshots all-game long in a 100-84 loss in the opener of their best-of-seven title series on Wednesday night at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Aces fell behind early, 15-0, and while they managed to make their way back into the game several times, the Hotshots just had a ready answer for every Alaska run.
“Sa Friday (Game Two), hindi kami puwedeng mag start ng flat ulit,” said Manuel. “Dapat masabayan namin sila the whole game.”
“Nabigla kami, na-dominate nila yung game ngayon,” added the ‘Muscle Man.’ “First quarter pa lang, na-dictate na nila yung tempo. Naunahan kami.”
Manuel scored only six points - taking only four field goal attempts - and worse, ended up without a single rebound.
He disclosed being down with the flu three days before the start of the series. At the same time, he is also favoring a bit his right leg, although he didn’t want to use these as excuse for his sub-par game.
“Nilagnat ako at tsaka medyo tight yung sa right side ng leg ko. Yun lang ang problema ko, pero kaya ko namang maglaro,” said Manuel.
He vows to come back stronger in Game 2 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“Mag all-out kami. Mahirap na ma-down 0-2,” stressed Manuel.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
