Aces eye lead vs Batang Pier

Games today (Smart Araneta Coliseum)

5:45 p.m. – Alaska vs Globalport

8 p.m. – Rain or Shine vs San Miguel

MANILA, Philippines - Alaska Milk goes for an early solo lead as it squares off with Globalport while Rain or Shine and San Miguel Beer play one another with both out to avoid falling behind early in this tournament that is so short that every game really counts.

The Aces and the Batang Pier mix it up at 5:45 p.m. then the Elasto Painters and the Beermen slug it out at 8 p.m. in a Friday double-header at the Smart Araneta Coliseum that kicks off six straight days of PBA PLDT Home Telpad Governors Cup action.

“It’s a short conference, no team can afford to fall behind early,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao emphasizing the importance of every game in the single-round-robin elimination phase that doesn’t require a playoff to break any tie.

Thus winning margins also matter as deadlocks will be resolved by the quotient system of breaking ties.

Alaska Milk has a shot at the early solo lead after clobbering San Miguel Beer, 94-87, on the tournament opener Sunday.

“We still have to improve on a lot of things defensively, and Henry Walker has to help us with rebounding and defense. Without Rob Dozier, who used to cover for us defensively, we all have to be sharper and be more vigilant if we want to follow up on our first win of the tourney,” said Alaska coach Luigi Trillo.

Trillo isn’t taking lightly Globalport which he believes can offer a challenge with its fast-paced game.

“We have to bring our running shoes for this game,” Trillo said.

For both Rain or Shine and San Miguel Beer, the final reminder for their game is the short tournament format.

The Elasto Painters and the Beermen do have to come out with a sense of urgency having lost their tournament debuts.