source: mb.com.ph

Willie Miller seeks redemption Friday as Barangay Ginebra battles his former team – Alaska Milk – in the lone out-of-town game of the PBA Fiesta Cup at the Cebu Coliseum.

When he was shipped to Ginebra last April 28, Miller had a roller-coaster performance – none more disappointing during their face-off with the Aces, who prevailed, 86-81.

Curiously, it was Cyrus Baguio – the player taken by Alaska in his favor – who struck the heavier blows.

Baguio scored 12 of 14 points in the pivotal fourth period that helped stem the tide in their favor.

Miller, on his part, was held to just five points – which was way below his average while still with Alaska.

But Miller had an explanation for his mediocre performance.

“I’m still adjusting to the style of play of Ginebra,” said Miller. “But hopefully we can play better for us to win. It’s not important if I score more points, as long as we win the game.”

Ginebra and Alaska, currently tied for third with Philippine Cup champion B-Meg Derby Ace all with 6-4 win-loss cards.

They clash at 5 p.m. in the game presented by Phoenix Fuel at 5 p.m.

The Kings are fresh from back-to-back wins – a come-from-behind 93-90 victory over Barako Bull Coffee and a convincing 102-85 win against Sta. Lucia Realty.

Barangay Ginebra coach Jong Uichico said that it remains uncertain if Miller, who averages 7.2 points through five games as a reserve, will continue to come off the bench behind Mark Caguioa, or will he be inserted in the starting unit, saying: “We’ll see.”

“I just hope we’ll be lucky this time,” added Uichico, whose team is 3-2 since the Miller-Baguio trade.

Alaska, on the other hand, is 4-2 in the post-Miller era, while the 6-foot-2 Baguio has put up solid numbers with 17.5 points per game since the trade. He went 9-of-9 from the field and scored 19 of 28 points in the first quarter of a 108-98 win over Coca-Cola last Wednesday.

Alaska coach Tim Cone will again put more premium on defense to make it two in a row over the Kings.

“We want to get the win defensively. It’s not by outscoring the other teams. It’s about making more stops. It’s nice to see our offense click but we have to be able to out-defend Ginebra if we want to win the game,” Cone said.

Game Saturday (Cebu Coliseum)
5 p.m. – Ginebra vs Alaska

Games Sunday (Araneta Coliseum)
4 p.m. – B-Meg Derby Ace vs Coca-Cola
6:30 p.m. – Talk ’N Text vs Sta. Lucia

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