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Aces, Texters collide
By: Zean Macamay, Journal Online
IT’S been a week since Alaska lost to Rain or Shine. That time is enough for the Aces to forget all about it and start thinking
of moving forward.
“We are ready and motivated to play any game,” said Alaska’s Joe DeVance. “Personally, I have to admit that I am a bit
more anxious.”
Coach Tim Cone thinks the same way, and the multi-titled mentor feels that his Aces are now mentally prepared for the
game against Talk ‘N Text tonight in an interesting KFC-PBA Philippine Cup match at the Araneta Coliseum.
“Coming from our loss (against Rain or Shine), our resiliency will certainly be tested by TNT,” said Cone. “But we’ve had
sufficient time to finish licking our wounds. We feel we’re prepared at what TNT will throw at us.”
The Aces have been playing near-flawless basketball for six straight games until the Painters came along on a Friday the
13th last week. The outcome was difficult to contemplate, as the worst team stunned the best in an 86-81 outcome, Alaska’
s first defeat of the season.
Yet the setback didn’t dislodge the Aces from the top of the standings. Until now, they are still there, and would certainly
want to remain there even though the Texters are a bit on a roll coming from back-to-back victories.
Team captain Jeffrey Cariaso, the most veteran among the Aces, believes that the game will come as a reality check
whether they have got what it takes to be No. 1.
“The game against TNT is a real test for us,” said Cariaso in the team’s website. “It is going to be a big, big test to see if we
deserve to be in first place. We have worked hard to prepare. We are ready.”
That wasn’t the case when Alaska came tumbling down against Rain or Shine. Its defense wasn’t as tight as it was in its
six previous outings, failing to stop the smallest man on the court – Don Dulay – from exploding.
Dulay scored all of his 20 points in the final 13 minutes – 18 in the final quarter. The guard’s output was even more
productive than what the entire reserve squad of the Aces could come up with – 16.
The game will be a sort of rematch of last season’s Philippine Cup Finals, a series the Texters won in seven games after
coming back from a 0-2 deficit.
Unfortunately for the Texters, Harvey Carey is a doubtful starter. But in the ball club’s last game against Barako Bull, Ali
Peek stepped up (10 points, 15 rebounbds) and Mac-Mac Cardona, a player more known for his offense, contributed 11
rebounds and 5 assists.
Still, coach Chot Reyes sees the fight leaning on Alaska’s favor.
“We are the underdogs based on current stats and level of play,” said Reyes.
Yet the Texters have been getting into a run after two straight wins. They beat Coca-Cola (103-94) and then rallied from 15
points down in the final 8 minutes of the game to frustrate Barako Bull 93-90 also last Friday.
A victory by Alaska will ensure its place at the top, while a defeat will drop it to a share of the lead with San Miguel Beer while
lifting Talk ‘N Text in gaining a piece of second spot with Ginebra (5-2, win-loss).
Burger King sees action for the second time in three days when it takes on Barako Bull in the 5 p.m. opener.
The Whoppers halted their alarming three-game losing streak Wednesday night, rallying to beat Coca-Cola 106-97.
It was only the second victory by Burger King in seven matches, but the win more than lifted the team’s confidence after a
series of controversies had hit the team.
“It’s very hard to get out of a slump,” said Burger King coach Yeng Guiao, who will be facing his former team. “We’ll just
have to build our confidence back.”
By: Zean Macamay, Journal Online
IT’S been a week since Alaska lost to Rain or Shine. That time is enough for the Aces to forget all about it and start thinking
of moving forward.
“We are ready and motivated to play any game,” said Alaska’s Joe DeVance. “Personally, I have to admit that I am a bit
more anxious.”
Coach Tim Cone thinks the same way, and the multi-titled mentor feels that his Aces are now mentally prepared for the
game against Talk ‘N Text tonight in an interesting KFC-PBA Philippine Cup match at the Araneta Coliseum.
“Coming from our loss (against Rain or Shine), our resiliency will certainly be tested by TNT,” said Cone. “But we’ve had
sufficient time to finish licking our wounds. We feel we’re prepared at what TNT will throw at us.”
The Aces have been playing near-flawless basketball for six straight games until the Painters came along on a Friday the
13th last week. The outcome was difficult to contemplate, as the worst team stunned the best in an 86-81 outcome, Alaska’
s first defeat of the season.
Yet the setback didn’t dislodge the Aces from the top of the standings. Until now, they are still there, and would certainly
want to remain there even though the Texters are a bit on a roll coming from back-to-back victories.
Team captain Jeffrey Cariaso, the most veteran among the Aces, believes that the game will come as a reality check
whether they have got what it takes to be No. 1.
“The game against TNT is a real test for us,” said Cariaso in the team’s website. “It is going to be a big, big test to see if we
deserve to be in first place. We have worked hard to prepare. We are ready.”
That wasn’t the case when Alaska came tumbling down against Rain or Shine. Its defense wasn’t as tight as it was in its
six previous outings, failing to stop the smallest man on the court – Don Dulay – from exploding.
Dulay scored all of his 20 points in the final 13 minutes – 18 in the final quarter. The guard’s output was even more
productive than what the entire reserve squad of the Aces could come up with – 16.
The game will be a sort of rematch of last season’s Philippine Cup Finals, a series the Texters won in seven games after
coming back from a 0-2 deficit.
Unfortunately for the Texters, Harvey Carey is a doubtful starter. But in the ball club’s last game against Barako Bull, Ali
Peek stepped up (10 points, 15 rebounbds) and Mac-Mac Cardona, a player more known for his offense, contributed 11
rebounds and 5 assists.
Still, coach Chot Reyes sees the fight leaning on Alaska’s favor.
“We are the underdogs based on current stats and level of play,” said Reyes.
Yet the Texters have been getting into a run after two straight wins. They beat Coca-Cola (103-94) and then rallied from 15
points down in the final 8 minutes of the game to frustrate Barako Bull 93-90 also last Friday.
A victory by Alaska will ensure its place at the top, while a defeat will drop it to a share of the lead with San Miguel Beer while
lifting Talk ‘N Text in gaining a piece of second spot with Ginebra (5-2, win-loss).
Burger King sees action for the second time in three days when it takes on Barako Bull in the 5 p.m. opener.
The Whoppers halted their alarming three-game losing streak Wednesday night, rallying to beat Coca-Cola 106-97.
It was only the second victory by Burger King in seven matches, but the win more than lifted the team’s confidence after a
series of controversies had hit the team.
“It’s very hard to get out of a slump,” said Burger King coach Yeng Guiao, who will be facing his former team. “We’ll just
have to build our confidence back.”