Aces armed to the teeth

Gone: Nic Belasco
Gain: JunJun Cabatu, Ken Bono, JR Quinahan,
Mainstays: Willie Miller, Reynel Hugnatan, Tony dela Cruz, Sonny Thoss, John Ferriols, Rensy Bajar, Dale Singson, Eddie Laure, Christian Luanzon.

Not since Barangay Ginebra won the 2004-05 Fiesta and Philippine Cups has there been a Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) ballclub ever to score a back-to-back championship.

Alaska is in a perfect position to do that, and it’s not surprising if the Aces will be having it for motivation going into the season-opening Philippine Cup starting on Oct. 14 at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Aces have all the tools to accomplish the feat as the core of the squad that beat the Talk ‘N Text Phone Pals in seven hard-fought games for the 2007 Fiesta Cup, remained intact.

Reigning Most Valuable Player (MVP) Willie Miller will anchor again the campaign of the young Alaska team that got additional fresh legs with the
acquisition of sophomore center JunJun Cabatu, and Draft picks JR Quinahan and Ken Bono, the former UAAP MVP.

Quinahan, the power-playing forward from the University of the Visayas chosen 7th in the Draft, Bono (no. 6) and Cabatu are expected to give depth to the Aces’ frontcourt that has Sonny Thoss as main man.

“I consider them (Bono and Quinahan) steals in the Draft. I was surprised that we got to them with such late picks,” said long-time Alaska mentor Tim Cone.

“These three big guys are expected to be valuable additions for us,” stressed the American coach.

Do-it-all forward Tony dela Cruz is also rejoining the team following his stint with the RP men’s basketball team, while veteran guard Jeffrey Cariaso likewise return from active duty after missing the Philippine Cup Finals owing to a knee injury.

Only the absence of top playmaker Mike Cortez – who had a rousing comeback and played a key role in the Aces’ successful title run last conference – due to a recurring MCL injury, threaten to hamper Alaska’s back-to-back bid.

Still, even that doesn’t dampen Cone’s belief on his team’s resolute to win a 12th league championship this season.

“We’ve become bigger this time and we’re excited how well we can be with this big line up,” said the Alaska coach. “Definitely, we will go out there fighting.”