NO MUSCLE
You will need muscle if you’re going up against Rain or Shine, and Alaska is missing its double-double muscle. The 6-foot-4 forward–as well as JV Casio and Eric Menk–will be out for the rest of the series due to injuries, so the chances of winning four straight are as slim as Alaska’s bench.
HUNGRY BEAU IS ANGRY BEAU
It has been four years since Beau Belga last tasted a championship. With the way he is shooting the ball and defending Rob Dozier in the paint, one thing is certain: gutom na siya. And as rice bowls can attest to, that’s not a good thing.
THE QUIÑAHAN DIET
JR Quiñahan has cut down on rice (he lost about 20lbs), but he did pick up on his scoring. In Game 3, the 6-foot-6 co-CEO of Extra Rice Inc. led with 18pts and 4 3s–for a team that already has Paul Lee, Jeff Chan, and Jericho Cruz as designated shooters.
THE YOUNG CYRUS BAGUIO
Sophomore swingman Jericho Cruz has embraced the JR Smith/Jamal Crawford role in the deep Rain or Shine roster, dropping 18pts in Game 1, 14 in Game 2, and 17 in Game 3. Coach Yeng Guiao seems to trust him enough to close the game, something that can’t be said about Cruz’s fellow college standout, Jeric Teng.
BECAUSE POLEE
When the game is going down the wire, and one of your teammates is Paul Lee, just give him the ball. He’ll know what to do. Remember THIS?
What do you think, can the Alaska Aces extend the series to seven games? Tweet us @buhaybasket or send us a message on Facebook.