Obviously, Alaska's bench is deeper than
Coca-Cola's but the Tigers, who are seeking win No.2, seem to have
adjusted well under the new rules being implemented by the league –
something the Aces are still trying to figure out.
Obviously, Alaska's bench is deeper than
Coca-Cola's but the Tigers, who are seeking win No.2, seem to have
adjusted well under the new rules being implemented by the league –
something the Aces are still trying to figure out.
The ability to reinvent one's game to suit the changing times is a mark of a good team and Coca-Cola coach Binky Favis would like to believe his team is one.
"With the team that we have, which is not as tall or as star-studded as the others, we definitely have to adjust in order to be a contender," Favis said as the Tigers geared up for their battle with Alaska today in the Smart-PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
"We only have 6-foot-4 guys as our tallest and with the new rules we have in the league right now, which allows more banging, we have to take as much advantage as we can in other departments," he added.
This was shown clearly in the way Coke rallied from a 19-point deficit to beat Welcoat 85-76 in their debut last week, when the Tigers gang-rebounded their way to a 61-48 advantage off the boards and forced the Dragons to a dismal 25-of-87 field shooting.
The Tigers are in for a different sort of challenge in the Aces, who are raring to get on the winning track after opening the season with back-to-back losses to Talk N Text and Air21.
Injured Alex Cabagnot (sprained ankle) and Cesar Catli (calf muscle) are doubtful starters for Favis. Alaska, meanwhile, has signed up veteran free agent Ariel Capus in lieu of Rensy Bajar in a bid to find more support for reigning MVP Willie Miller, who has averaged a league-high 34.0 points in their first two games.
But Favis is concerned more with the Aces' frontline of Sonny Thoss, John Ferriols, JR Quinahan, Ken Bono, Poch Juinio and Reynel Hugnatan, each at least standing 6-foot-4.
"Again, they are taller like Welcoat but definitely heftier," he noted. "So, unlike our first game when it was 6'4s against 6'7s, tomorrow will be a case of 220-pounders against 280s."
The big task, for Favis, is in his players using their quickness to neutralize the Aces' strengths. That's nothing new for the team, he claimed.
"Being one of the underdogs, every day is a challenge for us. But as long as we keep improving, continue playing as a team, then it's only a matter of time before we get better," he stated.
A Coke win will give it a 2-0 win-loss slate and second place behind the winner of today's nightcap featuring Purefoods and Magnolia, both toting 2-0 slates.
The ability to reinvent one's game to suit the changing times is a mark of a good team and Coca-Cola coach Binky Favis would like to believe his team is one.
"With the team that we have, which is not as tall or as star-studded as the others, we definitely have to adjust in order to be a contender," Favis said as the Tigers geared up for their battle with Alaska today in the Smart-PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
"We only have 6-foot-4 guys as our tallest and with the new rules we have in the league right now, which allows more banging, we have to take as much advantage as we can in other departments," he added.
This was shown clearly in the way Coke rallied from a 19-point deficit to beat Welcoat 85-76 in their debut last week, when the Tigers gang-rebounded their way to a 61-48 advantage off the boards and forced the Dragons to a dismal 25-of-87 field shooting.
The Tigers are in for a different sort of challenge in the Aces, who are raring to get on the winning track after opening the season with back-to-back losses to Talk N Text and Air21.
Injured Alex Cabagnot (sprained ankle) and Cesar Catli (calf muscle) are doubtful starters for Favis. Alaska, meanwhile, has signed up veteran free agent Ariel Capus in lieu of Rensy Bajar in a bid to find more support for reigning MVP Willie Miller, who has averaged a league-high 34.0 points in their first two games.
But Favis is concerned more with the Aces' frontline of Sonny Thoss, John Ferriols, JR Quinahan, Ken Bono, Poch Juinio and Reynel Hugnatan, each at least standing 6-foot-4.
"Again, they are taller like Welcoat but definitely heftier," he noted. "So, unlike our first game when it was 6'4s against 6'7s, tomorrow will be a case of 220-pounders against 280s."
The big task, for Favis, is in his players using their quickness to neutralize the Aces' strengths. That's nothing new for the team, he claimed.
"Being one of the underdogs, every day is a challenge for us. But as long as we keep improving, continue playing as a team, then it's only a matter of time before we get better," he stated.
A Coke win will give it a 2-0 win-loss slate and second place behind the winner of today's nightcap featuring Purefoods and Magnolia, both toting 2-0 slates.
A step-up in class for Coca-Cola today.. After having difficulty dismantling Welcoat on their 1st game last week, the Tigers will have their hands full with an angry Alaska Aces. Alaska has been using a solid 8 man rotation in their lineup with Cortez, Hugnatan and Ferriols coming off the bench. In contrast, weak bench support for Coke as only Arigo and Enrile have posted more than 18 minutes as back-ups. Duremdes has logged in only 4 minutes while Cabagnot and Catli were "no shows".. Maybe they have injuries we don't know about; or maybe the injuries has gone into their heads.. Big bounce back blowout win for Alaska. Good Luck.
A step-up in class for Coca-Cola today.. After having difficulty dismantling Welcoat on their 1st game last week, the Tigers will have their hands full with an angry Alaska Aces. Alaska has been using a solid 8 man rotation in their lineup with Cortez, Hugnatan and Ferriols coming off the bench. In contrast, weak bench support for Coke as only Arigo and Enrile have posted more than 18 minutes as back-ups. Duremdes has logged in only 4 minutes while Cabagnot and Catli were "no shows".. Maybe they have injuries we don't know about; or maybe the injuries has gone into their heads.. Big bounce back blowout win for Alaska. Good Luck.
If you choose to make use of any information on this website including online sports betting services from any websites that may be featured on this website, we strongly recommend that you carefully check your local laws before doing so. It is your sole responsibility to understand your local laws and observe them strictly. Covers does not provide any advice or guidance as to the legality of online sports betting or other online gambling activities within your jurisdiction and you are responsible for complying with laws that are applicable to you in your relevant locality. Covers disclaims all liability associated with your use of this website and use of any information contained on it. As a condition of using this website, you agree to hold the owner of this website harmless from any claims arising from your use of any services on any third party website that may be featured by Covers.