Aces have enough tools for back-to-back bid

Malaya
October 8, 2007

Not since Ginebra won the 2004-05 Fiesta and Philippine Cups has there been a PBA team that scored back-to-back championships.

Alaska is in a perfect position to do that, and has all the tools to accomplish the rare feat in the season-opening Philippine Cup starting on Oct. 14 at the Araneta Coliseum.

The core of the Alaska squad that beat Talk N Text Phone Pals in seven hard-fought games for the 2007 Fiesta Cup is intact.

Reigning MVP Willie Miller will anchor the campaign of the young Alaska team that got additional fresh legs with the acquisition of sophomore forward 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 its 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," he added.

Do-it-all forward Tony dela Cruz is also rejoining the team after his stint with the RP men's basketball team, while veteran guard Jeffrey Cariaso also returns to active duty after missing the Philippine Cup Finals due 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, threatens to hamper Alaska's back-to-back bid.

Even that, however, doesn't dampen Cone's belief on his team's resolve 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."