ALASKA has survived one Herculean task and is now bracing for another when it duels a Phoenix Super LPG practically fighting for dear life Thursday in the PBA Governors' Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
A second straight win by the Aces would jack their record to 7-3, bring them closer to a top four finish and a win-once advantage in the quarterfinals, something the team has not done in their first two tournaments under coach Jeff Cariaso.
"In the past couple of conferences, we've had to rely on other teams, ganoon," said Cariaso after his side's 94-93 thriller over Meralco last Saturday.
"So right now we have this opportunity to control our own destiny and make the top four. That's really our goal."
The Fuel Masters should be ready to at least delay those plans, however.
Phoenix has lost its last three games and, with a 4-5 slate, is now in danger of being taken out of the race for one of the four remaining slots in the eight-team quarterfinals.
Still, coach Topex Robinson's sights remained trained on his Fuel Masters continuing to adapt and improve amidst the constant changes that have plagued them.
After the departure of unrestricted free agent Chris Banchero to Meralco, Phoenix also traded center Justin Chua to NLEX just last week.
"We will (continue) to focus on getting better as what we had in our last three games," said Robinson, before adding: "Alaska is playing inspired basketball right now."
Alaska has indeed been on a tear after it was announced two weeks ago that the conference would be the team's last in the PBA, winning three of their last four games.
Cariaso even believes the squeaker over Meralco, made possible by rookie RK Ilagan draining a last-second jumper, would go a long way in prepping his team for the tougher grind just ahead.
"These tough games, for me, are already preparing us for the playoffs," said Cariaso. "The mentality for us is, we're in the playoffs already."
