(From Business Mirror)
AFTER hurdling the most popular ball club in the land, Alaska’s next assignment is the most dominant squad in the ongoing Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Fiesta Conference.
The Aces averted what could be a monumental collapse after Barangay Ginebra launched an improbable run in the closing seconds of their best-of-five quarterfinal series on Sunday night at the jam-packed Araneta Coliseum.
The young Alaska squad showed maturity in the end as the more experienced Kings failed to convert in their last play with five seconds left to surrender a 93-91 decision to the Aces.
The thrilling victory sent the Uytengsu franchise to the best-of-seven semifinal duel against No. 1 seed Talk ’N Text, the team that lost only four in 18 matches in the eliminations and which has beaten them twice in the tournament.
“Talk ’N Text is formidable but we are not afraid of them,” said Alaska head coach Tim Cone, who will be pitted against his close friend and Tropang Texters mentor Chot Reyes.
“Obviously, they [Texters] have a huge advantage and we came from a tough series and the players are really banged up like LA [Tenorio] and Diamon [Simpson]. Some guys are still coming from injuries. It will really be hard,” he added.
Cone’s wards were lucky to survive the onslaught by Ginebra in the dying seconds of the do-or-die Game Five as the grand slam-winning coach admitted Jayjay Helterbrand’s triple shifted the momentum to the Kings.
But Joe Devance, Simpson and Cyrus Baguio had other plans in mind as they made huge plays to spoil a Ginebra celebration.
“Our composure held on in the last play and that’s what we’ve been talking about at the start of the conference,” said Cone. “Joe showed great composure. He didn’t take a quick shot. He has really grown in front of our eyes.”
The American mentor was referring to Devance’s big-time assist to Simpson that turned out as the game-winner.
Helterbrand drilled a three-pointer that capped an amazing 7-0 run for a 91-90 Kings lead with 28 seconds left.
Alaska’s play was botched by the Kings’ pesky defense, but the Aces patiently waited for the right opportunity and, alas, Alaska’s 22-year-old import Simpson banked a short stab on Devance’s pass to beat the shot clock.
Ginebra had five seconds to steal the game but Baguio, the player the Kings gave away for the 33-year-old Willie Miller, snatched the ball from 35-year-old center Eric Menk.
Baguio was fouled, split his two free throws with no time left and sent the pro-Ginebra crowd home in grief.
“It’s almost sad someone had to lose this game and I’m glad it’s not us. It’s a tough one to lose and my heart goes out to them,” said Cone, who expects the same atmosphere with Talk ’N Text as Game One of the semifinal showdown starts on Wednesday also at the Big Dome.
AFTER hurdling the most popular ball club in the land, Alaska’s next assignment is the most dominant squad in the ongoing Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Fiesta Conference.
The Aces averted what could be a monumental collapse after Barangay Ginebra launched an improbable run in the closing seconds of their best-of-five quarterfinal series on Sunday night at the jam-packed Araneta Coliseum.
The young Alaska squad showed maturity in the end as the more experienced Kings failed to convert in their last play with five seconds left to surrender a 93-91 decision to the Aces.
The thrilling victory sent the Uytengsu franchise to the best-of-seven semifinal duel against No. 1 seed Talk ’N Text, the team that lost only four in 18 matches in the eliminations and which has beaten them twice in the tournament.
“Talk ’N Text is formidable but we are not afraid of them,” said Alaska head coach Tim Cone, who will be pitted against his close friend and Tropang Texters mentor Chot Reyes.
“Obviously, they [Texters] have a huge advantage and we came from a tough series and the players are really banged up like LA [Tenorio] and Diamon [Simpson]. Some guys are still coming from injuries. It will really be hard,” he added.
Cone’s wards were lucky to survive the onslaught by Ginebra in the dying seconds of the do-or-die Game Five as the grand slam-winning coach admitted Jayjay Helterbrand’s triple shifted the momentum to the Kings.
But Joe Devance, Simpson and Cyrus Baguio had other plans in mind as they made huge plays to spoil a Ginebra celebration.
“Our composure held on in the last play and that’s what we’ve been talking about at the start of the conference,” said Cone. “Joe showed great composure. He didn’t take a quick shot. He has really grown in front of our eyes.”
The American mentor was referring to Devance’s big-time assist to Simpson that turned out as the game-winner.
Helterbrand drilled a three-pointer that capped an amazing 7-0 run for a 91-90 Kings lead with 28 seconds left.
Alaska’s play was botched by the Kings’ pesky defense, but the Aces patiently waited for the right opportunity and, alas, Alaska’s 22-year-old import Simpson banked a short stab on Devance’s pass to beat the shot clock.
Ginebra had five seconds to steal the game but Baguio, the player the Kings gave away for the 33-year-old Willie Miller, snatched the ball from 35-year-old center Eric Menk.
Baguio was fouled, split his two free throws with no time left and sent the pro-Ginebra crowd home in grief.
“It’s almost sad someone had to lose this game and I’m glad it’s not us. It’s a tough one to lose and my heart goes out to them,” said Cone, who expects the same atmosphere with Talk ’N Text as Game One of the semifinal showdown starts on Wednesday also at the Big Dome.
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