It was supposed to be a no-bearing exhibition game but the Alaska Aces did not think so and played with intensity and resolve to trounce the Smart Gilas RP training team, 130-99, last Friday at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Aces started strong and posted a 24-18 first quarter lead. They stepped on the gas in the second quarter to hike their lead to 20 points by halftime, 63-43.
Alaska coach Tim Cone said he impressed upon the players the importance of playing hard regardless of what team you are playing.
“We always play hard against any team. That has always been our creed. You come out and play hard every single time. Basketball is always about habits. You can’t just decide when to play hard. You have to play hard always. Otherwise you won’t be able to play hard at all when you need to,” said Cone.
Because the results of games against Smart Gilas do not count in the standings, the Aces kept their league best record of nine wins against a single loss. The 9-1 start is the best ever in franchise history surpassing the 8-1 opening run in the 1998 Commissioner’s Cup where the Aces eventually won the title.
Trailing Alaska are the San Miguel Beermen (9-2), the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings (7-3), the Talk n Text Tropang Texters (6-4), the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants (6-4), the Sta. Lucia Realtors (5-5), the Burger King Whopper (3-7), the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (3-7), Barako Bull (2-9) and the Coca-Cola Tigers (1-9).
The Alaska mentor said he tried to impress this philosophy upon his players. He said it doesn’t matter if it’s a championship game, a regular game or just a drill. The players should play hard.
“It doesn’t matter what team you are going play. It doesn’t matter whether it is San Miguel Beer or Ateneo or UST or if you’re playing your grandmother. You always have to play hard all the time,”
The Alaska mentor said he likes the attitude of his present batch of players.
“More than any other group that I’ve ever had, except for the group in the mid 90s this group believes in that creed, said Cone. “They work hard all the time even when they play in practices or drills. They’re a great practice team.”
Willie Miller scored a team-high 21 points to grab Player of the Game honors. He said coach Cone made sure that they would take the no-bearing game seriously.
“Kailangan talagang seryosohin dahil sinabi ito ni coach,” said Miller. “Susunod na kalaban namin ang San Miguel Beer pagkatapos ay Talk n Text. Walang mas magandang preparation sa dalawang game na iyon kungdi siryosohan ang laro against Smart Gilas.”
Cone admitted that he was wary of his team’s chances against the San Miguel Beermen.
“They put a lot of pressure on you to score on every possession, said Cone. “They have so many weapons and good players that it would be difficult to stop their offense. That puts a lot of pressure on our offense to deliver points.”
The RP team tried to come back by switching to man-to-man defense and pressuring the Alaska ball carrier. Cone countered by having Devance bring up the ball on offense. Japeth Aguilar tried to pressure Devance on defense but he was so slow and ungainly that Smart Gilas decided to stop pressuring the Alaska offense.
The Aces continued to pressure the Smart Gilas defense despite the big lead. Mark Borboran tapped the ball from Rabeh Al Hussaini, sprinted to the other end of the basketball court to score on a rim-rattling dunk. The Aces went on to hike their lead to 35 points, 117-82, with only 5:13 to go in the game.
The scores:
ALASKA 130 - Willie Miller 21, Rey Hugnatan 18, Sonny Thoss 15, Joe Devance 14, Larry Fonacier 13, LA Tenorio 10, Mark Borboran 10, Jeff Cariaso 9, John Ferriols 7, Tony Dela Cruz 6, Mike Burstcher 5, Kelvin Dela Pena 2.
GILAS 99 - JV Casio 24, Rabeh Al Hussaini 21, Mark Barracael 16, Mark Barocca 11, Japeth Aguilar 9, Dylan Ababou 7, JR Cawaling 6, Aldreich Ramos 3, Jayson Ballesteros 2, RJ Jazul 0, Ryan Buenafe 0.
Quarter scores: 24-18, 63-43, 98-71, 130-99.
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