Into the PBA Commish Cup Playoffs (part 1)

God Mode?
Don't they know I invented "COOL?"

Alaska Aces (1) vs Air21 Express (8)
Make no mistake about it, no matter how promising the players on the court are this match-up will be decided on the coaching end. It's going to be the Aces' upstart Luigi Trillo versus tried-and-tested collegiate coach Franz Pumaren for Air21. At first glance, you're already looking at a highly entertaining series with the following match-ups:

PG JVee Casio vs Mike Cortez
It's going to be the guy that was embraced and loved by the Green-and-White going up against the one that was controversially disowned/disgraced/disavowed (before time healed all the old wounds). Both guys are coming off injury concerns, but of the two, it's going to be Cortez who will prove to be more invaluable to his team rather than Casio. Though Casio is continuing to learn and excel as a PBA-level point guard, he has the luxury of having RJ Jazul and even rookie Raffy Reyes to spell him and steer the Aces' offense. Cortez on the other hand, will have no reprieve in this one and is the one true catalyst should Air21 ever hope of stealing a game. Casio needs to look for his shots to keep Cortez honest, while the latter needs to use his height and heft to the hilt and keep on attacking the rim like the Cool Cat of old.

Adv. Air21

It's the little things for Alaska

Plenty of heroes on the Aces' roster
(photo courtesy of Yahoo.com.Ph)

Had you told us last season that the Alaska Aces, freshly divorced from long-time head coach Tim Cone, would turn it around, contend and even take the top spot in a single conference all in a year's time, we'd just dismiss you as a true blue (or red) fanatic who doesn't have a concrete grasp of the game of basketball.

Fortunately for us, no one predicted what was about to come to the Gatas Republik and their followers and no, it wasn't only about PBA Rookie of the Year shoo-in Calvin Abueva or prized offseason recruits JVee Casio and Dondon Hontiveros. The Aces are winning because they play together. They rally around one another and do all the little things necessary to ensure a victory.

Alaska off to immaculate start

RJ Jazul
(photo courtesy of PhilStar.Com)

It's funny how it was only a season ago when the Alaska Aces were cast as one of the proverbial "cellar dwellers" no thanks to their divorce with long time head coach Tim Cone. The players were listless and lethargic (hi Cyrus Baguio), the coach changed from Cone heir Joel Banal in the Philippine and Commissioner's Cup before settling with the then unimpressive Luigi Trillo in the Governor's Cup which was then followed by the exodus of team leader L.A. Tenorio who was coming off a brilliant stint with the SMART Gilas Pilipinas men's basketball team.

Well, what a difference some offseason trades and the PBA Draft does. While Tenorio's floor leadership and court savvy will be missed, the guy he was indirectly traded for- JVee Casio is no patsy. Clutch-wise, Casio is everything Tenorio is (and may be even more) and while the former King Archer is nowhere near half the ball handler his predecessor is, he makes up for it with crisp and timely passes while keeping the turnovers at a minimum.

Texters show poise, tries for 3-peat

Castro was just too fast for Casio et al

We're not sure about the early days, but in the last 20 years no PBA team has successfully defended the Philippine (then All Filipino) Cup for three straight years. History is about to change however if the Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters have their way after dismissing the young Alaska Aces in tonight's "you reach, I teach" Game 6 clincher.

We say and quote the great Michael Jordan simply because that's how the Texters played the game. The Aces were battling, scrapping for points behind rookie phenom Calvin "The Beast" Abueva and were in it despite off nights from guards JVee Casio and Cyrus Baguio but they were never really able to take control of the game thanks to the poise shown by the Texters.

Texters dominant over gun-shy Aces

Machine Gun Kelly

This was as ugly a semifinals basketball game could get.

Players from both Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters and the Alaska Aces were jittery, they were over eager and looked to be out of their collective wits on the floor to start. Thankfully, PBA MVP and the heart and soul of the Texters' attack-- Jimmy Alapag, got the starting nod from Coach Norman Black and decided to take over the game without putting up points.

Alapag went to work early, looking for his bigs and making them work the Aces' frontline relentlessly. Kelly Williams, another former PBA MVP, shone thanks to Alapag always making sure to keep him involved in the offense. The adjustment made by Coach Black was clear: make the Aces' prized big man Sonny Thoss work hard on defense.

On even ground (?)

Ready to rumble!

The "other" PBA Philippine Cup semifinals pairing of the three-peat seeking Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters versus the Alaska Aces was supposed to be a yawner. Save for some fireworks brought about by rookie Calvin Abueva, the Texters are expected to just run right through the Aces and move on to the Finals.

The Aces made a case for themselves in yesterday's, ugly, grind-it-out game.

While we're still sticking to the Texters winning the series, it's just highly entertaining to see the Aces fighting tooth and nail against the league's best team for the last two-three (even more) years. This, from an Aces team that last season looked lost and ready to close shop after the unceremonious divorce with long time coach Tim Cone (who's part of the other semifinals pairing between San Mig Coffee and Rain or Shine).

Does Alaska have enough?

Let's get physical!

The Alaska Aces are back!

News of the team's "death" was greatly exaggerated, and thanks to the ever competitive brain-thrust led by boss Wilfred Uytengsu the Aces are back in the quarterfinals where they are to face three-peat Philippine Cup championship seeking Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters.

But do they really stand a chance? Most say that their sweep of the Meralco Bolts should be taken as a clear indication that they can wether the vaunted "dribble drive offense" used by the sister teams. Sol Mercado initiates and creates, Ronjay Buenafe and Sunday Salvacion look for the kick-out passes, Mac Cardona looks for seams and cracks to contribute and Cliff Hodge takes care of the hustle and energy. Over at TNT, there's Jayson Castro leading the charge with Ryan Reyes' unguardable corner pocket threes, Larry Fonacier's sniping from all over, Ranidel de Ocampo just waiting his turn and of course, ever-reliable Jimmy Alapag.

Aces Down

DARNA!

After surging near atop the PBA Philippine Cup rankings, the Alaska Aces have come undone and are caught in a string of misfortunes-- be it increasing non-calls, sour perimeter shooting or losing energetic rookie Calvin Abueva to a nasal issue triggered by a hit courtesy of Air21's Rob Reyes.

Head coach Luigi Trillo and even team owner Wilfred Uytengsu have gone on record asking for parity in officiating-- believing that their guys are getting the shorter end of the stick. There's also something to be made of Abueva being the target of opposing teams' "sahod boys"whose primary role is to make the former King Stag lose his temper and blow the game for the Aces (not like they need any help with that given their current five-game slide).

Hostile: Alaska vs Rain or Shine

Ala-RoS has all the makings
of a WWE Title Fight

... is the word that best captures what fans wanted to see in yesterday's match pitting the streaking Alaska Aces and steady Rain or Shine Elastopainters. It was a glimpse of what the PBA was turning into: the team that embodies the last two years' physical, throwback, Pinoy game versus the other one that is exploring this "new" territory behind rookie Calvin "The Beast" Abueva.

But Beau Belga "pa-simples" aside, fireworks didn't erupt. Our prediction of "two flagrants and three technicals"didn't come into fruition. The game was tight with the Aces leading by no more than 6 points at the end of 3 quarters before the Elastopainters, true to form, came storming back behind ace gunner Jeffrei Chan (who we now understand was given the monicker "Negros Sniper"-- okay, we can work with that.)

Aces' breakthrough

Clutch Casio's been doing
this for a long time

Last night's 94-92 victory by the Alaska Aces over the dominant Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters was long overdue.

And it couldn't have happened at a much opportune moment; with the Texters carrying an unblemished record and the Aces not dropping an assignment since losing their first two assignments and then adding rookie Calvin Abueva to the mix. It was a shame that Quinito Henson or Mico Halili weren't around to call this one, since they're the PBA's best "story tellers" (madalas nga lang ma-carried away si The Dean, si Mico naman borderline corny pag hindi naawat) who could've probably dropped a "something's go to give in this early clash of the titans" etc.

Calvin Abueva's beastly debut

Masaya kung akilala da ka

Dondon Hontiveros had one of those vintage MBA Cebu Gems performances in the 4th quarter. Cyrus Baguio had the most efficient game we've seen of him EVER. JVee Casio was being his usual, steady self at PG-- not making great reads or finds, but not turning the ball either.

But make no mistake, it was one debuting Calvin "The Beast" Abueva who stole the show and brought the Alaska Aces back with his hustle and energy to salvage an 88-86 win over the confused Petron Blaze Boosters.

12 points on 5/17 shooting, 16 rebounds (10 defensive/ 6 offensive), 1 block, 1 assist, 4 fouls and 2 turnovers in 27 minutes.

Aces start the year awful

Alaska's franchis player
is a glorified role player at best

While the future still looks bright (any or all arguments against the Aces' should be put on hold until their number 2 overall pick, the San Sebastian Stags' Calvin Abueva, suits up), the Alaska Aces opened their Philippine Cup campaign being blown out by the San Mig Coffee Mixers, 103-83.

The team trailed from the start, failing to execute their sets and looking worse than Air21 did the whole last season. That's just how awful they appeared to be against a Mixers' team that features a hall of fame coach in Tim Cone and a crew of established and still in their prime veterans led by James Yap, PJ Simon and a vintage all-around performance by Yancy de Ocampo. Sophomore Mark Barroca was also huge in this one, running circles over SMART Gilas buddy and now Aces' "PG of the future" JVee Casio.

SMART Gilas: Is the center position still a problem?

The HOPE of Pilipinas Basketbol

With all due respect to Marcus Douthit and his heroic efforts the last few years in basically carrying Pilipinas Basketbol on his lanky shoulders, let's touch on an interesting idea raised by our friend @akosimayco over at Twitter.

Should we get a player of a different position-- say a small forward, to be naturalized since (God willing) we are bound to have bigs like 7"0 Greg Slaughter, 6"10 June Mar Fajardo and even 6"8 Ian Sangalang in maybe two to three years time? Qatar and Jordan did it/ are doing it, South Korea also fielded in a wing at one point years back so why not the Philippines?

You could argue for the guys that we currently have and play the wing position in Gabe Norwood and Jarred Dillinger, but let it sit for awhile. We don't really need a do-it-all small forward, but probably a big time scorer such as the Anthony Johnsons, Champ Oguchis and so on who can score from just about anywhere on the floor (Gabe Freeman doesn't count since his jumper is streaky wretched at best). This way, we can play Dillinger at the 1, Norwood at 3, Ranidel de Ocampo or whichever power forward you want to throw in there for rebounding purposes and one of the three young studs previously mentioned in the paragraph above.

For flag and country

Not a fan of Coach Chot's
but you have to feel for our
PILIPINAS head coach

SMART Gilas Pilipinas head coach Chot Reyes has until tomorrow to submit the names of the players he's bringing along to the FIBA tournament to be held in Japan this coming September 14. Problem is, he might have to drop some key players from his newly-crowned 34th William Jones Cup title team because of some blatant unpatriotic moves by certain parties.

Rumors have it that Jones Cup Most Valuable Player L.A. Tenorio is on his way to a San Miguel Corporation team straight from Alaska. It doesn't matter that he served as the team's poster boy the last few years, emerged as the league's best PG and even led Pilipinas to Asian basketball gold. This is the thanks he gets for serving the country. His legacy tarnished by yet another trade. Fuuuuuuu.

Luigi stays with Alaska

Trillo: Full time coach

So the (surprising) Luigi Trillo era continues amid reports that he was going to be given the boot after an unimpressive interim coaching debut last conference. Granted, he only had a few days to get acquainted with the Alaska Aces as its new head coach and an even shorter PBA GovCup elimination round to run anything so the two-year deal isn't as hard to comprehend as it seems.

Also, Trillo already enjoys the public support of his star point guard L.A. Tenorio-- which says a lot and seems to be on good terms with the rest of the guys having played assistant for so long. Here's a short list that this writer came up with that Trillo will face head-on now that he's the full-time head coach of the Aces.

Thoughts on SMART Gilas 2's Jones Cup roster

Reunited on the SMART Gilas 2 Jones Cup team

PG LA Tenorio (Alaska)/ Jayson Castro (Talk 'n' Text)/ Sol Mercado (Meralco)

Even without Jimmy Alapag and Ryan Reyes, this position has always been the strength of any team Pilipinas when it comes to basketball in Asia. Tenorio is the traditional point man that can set up guys on the team while able to spread the floor with his threes. Mercado brings in size and speed that will be needed when we face the Middle Eastern squads who feature burly guards. Castro is the sparkplug here, given his combo-guard skillset and relentless attack mentality.

Why complicate things?

Was Coach Luigi the right choice? 

Before we proceed with meatier entries going into the final stretch of the Philippine Basketball Association's highly successful 37th season, let's take a look back at one of its more storied franchises which suddenly found itself lost making nary a whimper in any of the three conferences.

We're talking about no less than the Wilfred Uytengsu-owned Alaska Aces-- robbed of its identity the last 20 or so years no thanks to Hall of Fame coach Tim Cone's decision to search for greener pastures (read: join Team San Miguel via the B-Meg Llamados which he led to the PBA Commissioner's Cup title in only his 2nd conference on the job).

Ace(s) up Gilas' sleeve

Taking his talents to Gilas

Sonny Thoss, Mac Baracael, L.A. Tenorio of the PBA’s Alaska Aces have been cleared by all concerned parties to backstop the SEABA Philippine contingent bannered by amateur stars Aldrech Ramos, Dave Marcelo, Garvo Lanete, Woody Co, Chris Tiu, Eman Monfort and Borgie Hermida and naturalized center Marcus Douthit.

While we remain to be the team to beat in the South East Asian regions, it’s always a plus to have guys who are on an elite level to represent the country. The presence of Douthit alone makes the Philippines a sure-fire medal contender, since the man has already made a name for himself on the FIBA-Asia stage as one of the better centers around.

Should PHL Coach Jong Uichico play the pros heavy minutes?

No Fight in Aces

L.A. Tenorio needs better teammates

The Alaska Aces, currently in the midst of an ugly ass-whooping from former coach Tim Cone's BMeg Llamados, need change.

Coach Luigi Trillo is trying his darndest to teach the Xs and Os to the players, but they are just not responding. Several times, the guys on the court settle to certain positions and do not even bother to move without the basketball. Hell, only their import Jason Forte and star point guard L.A. Tenorio seem to be even remotely interested in handling the rock.

The (interim) Luigi Trillo era begins

Trillo: 1st 2 moves for the Aces:
open up the offense, play Baracael

So the (interim) Luigi Trillo era opens for the Alaska Aces not with a bang but a whimper, a lopsided ass-whooping that, to their credit, they tried to fight in the 3rd quarter for but just couldn't pull off defensive stops with any consistency.

Why did they drop Joel Banal again?

Oh, right, to return to the Triangle Offense that was stripped off them by now B-Meg and recently minted Commissioner's Cup champion coach Tim Cone. During the off-season, they had two choices: to go with Jojo Lastimosa-- who actually played within the system, or the young Trillo who was having a coaching renaissance of sorts in the PBA Developmental League.