The Alaska Aces is scheduled for a head-to-head game against the Meralco Bolts at 4:30 P.M. on June 9, 2019 live from the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Both the Aces and the Bolts are on a two-game winning streak and these two squads vying for the 4-2 win-loss record. Yet, only one of them will be rewarded after the last buzzer while the other will end its winning streak.
Vic Manuel is back in action after missing the entire All-Filipino tournament and straight away he gave coach Alex Compton a well-deserved game.
“The Muscle Man” was only given a limited minutes when they played against the Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok last Wednesday.
Manuel scored six points and a rebound in just 8 minutes of official PBA game. He helped Alaska to give the runner-up of the 2019 PBA Philippine Cup a hard time as they made their mid-season tournament debut.
“We caught them tired… and kinda with a lack of preparation,” said Compton.
For Meralco on the other hand, finally, perhaps their biggest acquisition before the start of the second conference is now healthy and fit again to play.
Raymond Almazan who was traded from the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters also made his 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup debut. He scored 3 points, a rebound and an assist in his first game as member of the Bolts.
With the addition of “Rock-en-Roll” Almazan in the lineup of coach Norman Black, Alaska head coach Alex Compton sees them as a much tougher opponent.
“They beat us in a tuneup, and they just got Raymond Almazan,” Compton recalled. “They are arguably the most disciplined team in the league.”