Here are the live scores, updates, and results of the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup between the Alaska Aces and the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters, scheduled on July 24, 2021, at 4:35 PM.
In an intriguing Saturday clash in the 46th PBA Philippine Cup, Alaska looks to get back on track against a winless Phoenix Super LPG team led by former player Vic Manuel.
Last Wednesday, the Aces fell to 1-1 after losing an 84-82 heartbreaker to Magnolia on a buzzer-beater by Ian Sangalang, but they can immediately make amends against the Fuel Masters.
For his part, Aces coach Jeff Cariaso said that he is confident in Alaska’s process and reiterated that his squad know what they need to bring in the game later today.
Cariaso’s team had won their first game of the season, a 103-77 thrashing against Blackwater. The Aces could have gone 2-0 the next game if they hadn’t made a costly error in the last seconds and failed to halt Magnolia’s final offensive drive, which saw Paul Lee set up Sangalang for the game-winning goal.
The Fuel Masters, on the other hand, were groping for form after a semifinal appearance in the last All-Filipino bubble.
The Phoenix, headed by Matthew Wright, were defeated by the Hotshots (73-80) and subsequently thrashed by NorthPort (79-115).
In their previous match against the Batang Pier, the Fuel Masters’ shooting difficulties persisted as they missed their first 20 three-point attempts. NorthPort capitalized on this and maintained their offensive spark throughout the game and finished with a 36-point lead.
Topex Robinson, the club’s coach, stated the team is still a work in progress, especially with new players like Manuel.
The last time these two teams faced in the PBA bubble, Alaska Aces dismantle the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters.
The All-Filipino Cup will proceed to the quarterfinals in its customary format, with the top eight teams advancing. Against the eighth and seventh seeds, the top two seeds will have a twice-to-beat advantage. Meanwhile, in a best-of-three series, No. 3 will face No. 6, and No. 4 will face No. 5. Best-of-seven matches will be played in the semifinals and finals.
Unlike last season’s setup, the league will have a closed-circuit system for the Philippine Cup this time, with teams, league employees, and the media encouraged to keep a venue-home pattern to limit COVID-19 exposure.
The games will be held four times a week. The conference is also scheduled to go through the end of October.