PBA: Alaska not crying over spilled milk
11/19/2009 | 08:32 PM
Alaska was like a hot cup of milk and a breakfast for champions ready to be served on the table.
The Aces were previously the hottest team in the KFC-Philippine Basketball Association with six straight wins until a desperate Rain or Shine Elasto Painters team halted that streak.
But Alaska coach Tim Cone prefers to take that setback in stride and just move on, beginning with Friday’s showdown with the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters at the Araneta Coliseum.
“Coming from our loss to Rain or Shine, our resiliency will certainly be tested by Talk N Text," said Cone. “But we had sufficient time to finish licking our wounds and get thinking forward. We feel we’re prepared for what Talk 'N Text will throw at us."
The Aces are one of the only three teams which have yet to lose back-to-back games and they don’t want to lose that distinction especially against a team that defeated them in last season’s Fiesta Conference finale.
The Aces are still leading the pack with a 6-1 record, but the Tropang Texters are just two games behind with a 4-2 mark.
The Tropang Texters have won their last two games after losing to Purefoods, 90-82, two weeks ago but coach Chot Reyes remained far from satisfied with his wards' showing.
“If we can improve our defense more, I guess there’s a reason for me to feel satisfied. But right now, we’re still on a stage of rediscovering our old form. Admittedly, we’re still far from it," said Reyes, whose team is seeking to become the first squad to defend an All-Filipino crown since Great Taste in 1984-85.
Burger King and Barako Bull collide in the other game at 5 p.m. right after the exhibition match between Smart-Gilas and Rain or Shine.
The Whopper were able to snap their long losing skid with a win over Coca-Cola Wednesday night.
“Somehow, we’ve been affected by these issues, but we’re slowly but surely getting our minds back to where it should be," said Guiao. “We’re not giving up the fight this conference.. It’s a long way to go."
Aguilar is the Whopper's top draft choice who dilly dallied about signing up with the team. The 6-9 slotman eventually hooked up with Burger King but after just a game, he was shipped to Smart Gilas, his original choice of team.
The squad's top defensive guard Arboleda, for his part, has been suspended without pay for the rest of the season for attacking a fan during a game with Smart Gilas. - GMANews.TV
But Alaska coach Tim Cone prefers to take that setback in stride and just move on, beginning with Friday’s showdown with the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters at the Araneta Coliseum.
“Coming from our loss to Rain or Shine, our resiliency will certainly be tested by Talk N Text," said Cone. “But we had sufficient time to finish licking our wounds and get thinking forward. We feel we’re prepared for what Talk 'N Text will throw at us."
The Aces are one of the only three teams which have yet to lose back-to-back games and they don’t want to lose that distinction especially against a team that defeated them in last season’s Fiesta Conference finale.
The Aces are still leading the pack with a 6-1 record, but the Tropang Texters are just two games behind with a 4-2 mark.
The Tropang Texters have won their last two games after losing to Purefoods, 90-82, two weeks ago but coach Chot Reyes remained far from satisfied with his wards' showing.
“If we can improve our defense more, I guess there’s a reason for me to feel satisfied. But right now, we’re still on a stage of rediscovering our old form. Admittedly, we’re still far from it," said Reyes, whose team is seeking to become the first squad to defend an All-Filipino crown since Great Taste in 1984-85.
Burger King and Barako Bull collide in the other game at 5 p.m. right after the exhibition match between Smart-Gilas and Rain or Shine.
The Whopper were able to snap their long losing skid with a win over Coca-Cola Wednesday night.
Games Friday
(Araneta Coliseum)
2:30 p.m. – Smart-Gilas vs. Rain or Shine
5 p.m. – Barako Bull vs. Burger King
7:30 p.m. – Talk N Text vs. Alaska
Team W L
Alaska 6-1
San Miguel 6-2
Ginebra 5-2
Talk N Text 4-2
Sta. Lucia 4-3
Purefoods 4-3
Barako Bull 2-5
Burger King 2-5
Coca-Cola 1-5
Rain or Shine 1-7
Burger King coach Yeng Guiao said the team had somewhat been affected by the spate of controversies over the past few months – the Japeth Aguilar incident and the Wynne Arboleda mauling case. (Araneta Coliseum)
2:30 p.m. – Smart-Gilas vs. Rain or Shine
5 p.m. – Barako Bull vs. Burger King
7:30 p.m. – Talk N Text vs. Alaska
Team W L
Alaska 6-1
San Miguel 6-2
Ginebra 5-2
Talk N Text 4-2
Sta. Lucia 4-3
Purefoods 4-3
Barako Bull 2-5
Burger King 2-5
Coca-Cola 1-5
Rain or Shine 1-7
“Somehow, we’ve been affected by these issues, but we’re slowly but surely getting our minds back to where it should be," said Guiao. “We’re not giving up the fight this conference.. It’s a long way to go."
Aguilar is the Whopper's top draft choice who dilly dallied about signing up with the team. The 6-9 slotman eventually hooked up with Burger King but after just a game, he was shipped to Smart Gilas, his original choice of team.
The squad's top defensive guard Arboleda, for his part, has been suspended without pay for the rest of the season for attacking a fan during a game with Smart Gilas. - GMANews.TV
