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PBA: Alaska makes most of chance against hurting Ginebra
PBA: Alaska makes most of chance against hurting Ginebra
Camille B. Naredo,
ABS-CBN News
Published Jan 21, 2018 10:54 PM PHT
MANILA, Philippines – The Alaska Aces got a huge break in their 2017-18 PBA Philippine Cup game against Barangay Ginebra on Sunday, as the Gin Kings' towering center, Greg Slaughter, sat out the contest.
MANILA, Philippines – The Alaska Aces got a huge break in their 2017-18 PBA Philippine Cup game against Barangay Ginebra on Sunday, as the Gin Kings' towering center, Greg Slaughter, sat out the contest.
Slaughter had averaged 20.67 points and 10.33 rebounds in Ginebra's first three games, but missed did not play against Alaska due to a strained hamstring. The big man was in uniform, but could only sit on the bench as the Gin Kings faltered in the second half en route to a 97-83 loss against the Aces.
Slaughter had averaged 20.67 points and 10.33 rebounds in Ginebra's first three games, but missed did not play against Alaska due to a strained hamstring. The big man was in uniform, but could only sit on the bench as the Gin Kings faltered in the second half en route to a 97-83 loss against the Aces.
For Alaska coach Alex Compton, Slaughter's absence gave the Aces a massive opportunity that they simply could not waste.
For Alaska coach Alex Compton, Slaughter's absence gave the Aces a massive opportunity that they simply could not waste.
"Guys, they're missing two of their No. 1 picks," the coach told reporters after the game.
"Guys, they're missing two of their No. 1 picks," the coach told reporters after the game.
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Indeed, it wasn't only Slaughter who sat out the game; Joe Devance continues to be out for the Gin Kings as he recovers from a foot injury.
Indeed, it wasn't only Slaughter who sat out the game; Joe Devance continues to be out for the Gin Kings as he recovers from a foot injury.
"There's a small person named Greg Slaughter who didn't play; I think he has an impact on the game. Joe Devance has clearly established himself as a big-time winner in this league, and they didn't have him. So, it was a tough situation," said Compton.
"There's a small person named Greg Slaughter who didn't play; I think he has an impact on the game. Joe Devance has clearly established himself as a big-time winner in this league, and they didn't have him. So, it was a tough situation," said Compton.
"They're missing a 6-7 vet who knows how to win, and a guy who I think is going to win an MVP soon in Greg Slaughter," he added.
"They're missing a 6-7 vet who knows how to win, and a guy who I think is going to win an MVP soon in Greg Slaughter," he added.
Compton stressed that they would never wish for anyone to get hurt, but he was glad that the Aces were able to pull off a win against the undermanned Gin Kings.
Compton stressed that they would never wish for anyone to get hurt, but he was glad that the Aces were able to pull off a win against the undermanned Gin Kings.
"Sometimes, dito sa liga natin, you have to take advantage when opportunities come your way," he pointed out.
"Sometimes, dito sa liga natin, you have to take advantage when opportunities come your way," he pointed out.
"You don't want anybody to get hurt, but when two No. 1 picks on the other team aren't playing, it helps your chances," he also said.
"You don't want anybody to get hurt, but when two No. 1 picks on the other team aren't playing, it helps your chances," he also said.
With Slaughter on the bench, the Aces had a field day inside the paint. They scored 46 points from close range, with Vic Manuel in particular doing plenty of damage in the third quarter against a smaller defender in Kevin Ferrer. It did not help that Japeth Aguilar got in foul trouble early, further messing up the Ginebra rotation.
With Slaughter on the bench, the Aces had a field day inside the paint. They scored 46 points from close range, with Vic Manuel in particular doing plenty of damage in the third quarter against a smaller defender in Kevin Ferrer. It did not help that Japeth Aguilar got in foul trouble early, further messing up the Ginebra rotation.
Sonny Thoss in particular benefited from Slaughter's absence, as he scored 17 points on 6-of-12 shooting against the smaller Ginebra frontline.
Sonny Thoss in particular benefited from Slaughter's absence, as he scored 17 points on 6-of-12 shooting against the smaller Ginebra frontline.
"It definitely helped," the veteran said of Slaughter's absence. "He's a big guy, he's a big presence inside, so it took one big guy off our shoulder. But we would have still played the same (if he were there)."
"It definitely helped," the veteran said of Slaughter's absence. "He's a big guy, he's a big presence inside, so it took one big guy off our shoulder. But we would have still played the same (if he were there)."
Alaska has now won three games in a row, and remain unbeaten in 2018. For Ginebra, it is the opposite: they have lost two straight games and have yet to win in the New Year.
Alaska has now won three games in a row, and remain unbeaten in 2018. For Ginebra, it is the opposite: they have lost two straight games and have yet to win in the New Year.
Slaughter's injury, of course, is a cause for concern given how much time the big man has missed in the past year. In a brief interview after the game, he offered few details, except to confirm that he was still attending Ginebra practice. However, Slaughter did not disclose when he expects to return.
Slaughter's injury, of course, is a cause for concern given how much time the big man has missed in the past year. In a brief interview after the game, he offered few details, except to confirm that he was still attending Ginebra practice. However, Slaughter did not disclose when he expects to return.
For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.
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