Kings, Aces clash

by Rey Joble
People's Journal
October 31, 2007

W L
Purefoods 3 0
Magnolia 3 1
Talk N Text 2 2
Red Bull 1 1
Air21 1 1
Welcoat 1 2
Sta. Lucia 1 2
Alaska 1 2
Ginebra 1 2
Coca-Cola 1 2

Games today
(Cuneta Astrodome)
4:35 p.m. -- Red Bull vs. Air21
7:20 p.m. -- Alaska vs. Ginebra



Jeffrey Cariaso, member of the fabled Alaska grandslam team in 1996 and the oldest member of the present batch of the Aces, is turning back the hands of time.

For two straight games, the 6-1 guard averaged 21 points in his team’s last two games, but it was in the Aces’ 98-94 triumph over Coca-Cola where Cariaso was at his finest.

He made crucial baskets down the stretch and bailed his team out of trouble, finally towing Alaska to the win column.

Today, The Jet will be a marked man when the Aces tackle slumping Barangay Ginebra Kings in the main game of the Smart-PBA Philippine Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Admittedly, Alaska has had difficulty winning with the fast-paced style of play, which is one of the new innovations of the league.

“Coaches no longer have control of the game,” Alaska coach Tim Cone said during a post-game interview. “It’s like high school game and it made us look stupid.”

Hearing those comments from Cone is understandable. His team plays a deliberate halfcourt set to run his Triangle Offense not to mention the fact that the Aces have become bigger -- and slower -- with the addition of two beefy frontliners in Ken Bono and JR Quiñahan.

But guys like Cariaso and reigning Most Valuable Player Willie Miller seem to be not bothered by this fast-paced style of play.

How well they can keep up this run-and-gun mode and match up with possibly one of the fastest teams in the league will be put to a test.

The Gin Kings, despite the absence of Mark Caguioa and Eric Menk, remain a threat to any squad.

Although the Gin Kings have struggled in their last two games, they are capable of using their speed advantage to the hilt against the Aces.

But the problem on how to start the break begins up front. Raffi Reavis and Billy Mamaril are the only two guys playing on consistent basis for coach Jong Uichico’s troops.

His guards like Ronald Tubid, Mark Macapagal, veterans Johnny Abarrientos and new recruits Paul Artadi and Macky Escalona have been providing the spark needed in the absence of Caguioa.

Still, their effort was not enough to notch the Ws.

Red Bull and Air21 clash in the other game at 4:35 p.m. with both teams seeking solo third place.

Life without the stars are difficult for guys like Cyrus Baguio, Carlo Sharma, Junthy Valenzuela and Mick Pennisi.

But not for coach Yeng Guiao. The only thing the fiery mentor will have to do is to keep his temper in check and avoid yet another suspension.

Guiao will be back to call the shots anew against the Express, whose problem is basically their team defense.

It’s true that the Express really do score a lot, but they are also No.1 in giving up points per game -- allowing their foes 111 points in their last two games.

Against the No.1 three-point shooting team in Red Bull, Air21 cannot afford to do that.