(From Business Mirror)
IT seemed an embarrassing opening match for Alaska, the rust evident as both offense and defense squeaked.
But despite the 92-100 loss to Talk ’N Text last Wednesday—their first game since losing to Purefoods (Now Derby Ace) in the Philippine Cup finals last month—Aces coach Tim Cone was “not disappointed at all,” saying he believes he still has the materials to return to the finals.
They came from a 35-day break, which Cone found very unusual for a team in the Philippine Basketball Association, but he took the loss with optimism as he feels the team could be headed for another promising conference.
“I see good things and I’m not disappointed at all,” said Cone after their first game in the Fiesta Cup.
“The strength of coaching is making something out of your team. The material is there and it’s a matter of moving it all together. Just be patient,” he added.
The American mentor was impressed with the performance of his reinforcement Diamon Simpson, though the former St. Mary’s standout may look inferior to Sta. Lucia Realty’s Anthony Johnson and even Coca-Cola’s James Penny, regarded by league observers as the yardsticks of imports today.
The 22-year-old Simpson, who suited up for the Los Angeles D-Fenders in the Developmental League of the National Basketball Association, had 36 points and 25 rebounds in his first game in the PBA.
He was the first import to compile a 30-20 (points and rebounds) in his league debut since Ginebra’s Chris Porter (31 and 24) in 2005-06 Fiesta Cup.
“Diamon is a monster. There’s no doubt he can play. There’s very little he can do,” said Cone. “But the problem is he’s not the only one inside the court. If we harness his skills with talent around him, we feel we can be good.”
Simpson actually had five of the team’s 20 total turnovers and like the rest of his teammates, struggled early before getting his feel of the game toward the end.
Aces’ new acquisition Samigue Eman was not as impressive in his first game in Alaska uniform as the six-foot-nine center, who was picked up as a free agent from San Miguel Beer, had only five points and nine rebounds in 22 minutes in a starting role.
“That was Sam’s first game in extended minutes in two years. He wanted to go out there and do everything,” said Cone.
“We knew it will be a struggle for us a little bit. But we played better as the game progressed.”
The Aces will face San Miguel on April 11, Air21 on April 14, Derby Ace on April 17 in Cagayan de Oro and the Kings on April 30.
“It’s a tough schedule ahead. Hopefully we won’t fall very far behind,” said Cone.
IT seemed an embarrassing opening match for Alaska, the rust evident as both offense and defense squeaked.
But despite the 92-100 loss to Talk ’N Text last Wednesday—their first game since losing to Purefoods (Now Derby Ace) in the Philippine Cup finals last month—Aces coach Tim Cone was “not disappointed at all,” saying he believes he still has the materials to return to the finals.
They came from a 35-day break, which Cone found very unusual for a team in the Philippine Basketball Association, but he took the loss with optimism as he feels the team could be headed for another promising conference.
“I see good things and I’m not disappointed at all,” said Cone after their first game in the Fiesta Cup.
“The strength of coaching is making something out of your team. The material is there and it’s a matter of moving it all together. Just be patient,” he added.
The American mentor was impressed with the performance of his reinforcement Diamon Simpson, though the former St. Mary’s standout may look inferior to Sta. Lucia Realty’s Anthony Johnson and even Coca-Cola’s James Penny, regarded by league observers as the yardsticks of imports today.
The 22-year-old Simpson, who suited up for the Los Angeles D-Fenders in the Developmental League of the National Basketball Association, had 36 points and 25 rebounds in his first game in the PBA.
He was the first import to compile a 30-20 (points and rebounds) in his league debut since Ginebra’s Chris Porter (31 and 24) in 2005-06 Fiesta Cup.
“Diamon is a monster. There’s no doubt he can play. There’s very little he can do,” said Cone. “But the problem is he’s not the only one inside the court. If we harness his skills with talent around him, we feel we can be good.”
Simpson actually had five of the team’s 20 total turnovers and like the rest of his teammates, struggled early before getting his feel of the game toward the end.
Aces’ new acquisition Samigue Eman was not as impressive in his first game in Alaska uniform as the six-foot-nine center, who was picked up as a free agent from San Miguel Beer, had only five points and nine rebounds in 22 minutes in a starting role.
“That was Sam’s first game in extended minutes in two years. He wanted to go out there and do everything,” said Cone.
“We knew it will be a struggle for us a little bit. But we played better as the game progressed.”
The Aces will face San Miguel on April 11, Air21 on April 14, Derby Ace on April 17 in Cagayan de Oro and the Kings on April 30.
“It’s a tough schedule ahead. Hopefully we won’t fall very far behind,” said Cone.
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