My.Aces

I’m sure you all are just as upset and disappointed with the outcome of last night’s game against the hotdogs. Everybody watching in Araneta and everyone watching all over the Philippines saw how the referees missed 2 violations, (one by Cablay at the jump-ball, and the other the traveling violation by Raymundo,) that determined the outcome of the game. I feel sorry for the people responsible for the referees because they will hear an ear full from management. I can only pray that they learn from this because they are truly hurting the integrity of the game. It’s as if they don’t respect the sport. We as players dedicate our lives to performing at our utmost capabilities, and we are all passionate about the game. That’s our jobs. So I feel it’s only fair that the refs have the same dedication and passion.

Having said that, I also believe the worse will prevail in regards to our argument. The decisions had to be made during the actual game. I, personally, will be surprised if the PBA will do more aside from suspending the refs. We’ll be lucky if they do that. But it’s my opinion that if a ref cannot blow his whistle and make a call when it is so obvious, he doesn’t deserve his job.

That’s why the focus of your ACES right now is to put this game behind us. We are going to use this game to motivate us even more. We are going to work harder, play tougher, and use last night’s game to catapult us to another level. We believe we won last night’s game. We know in our hearts we should have been rewarded for the effort we all displayed. I can’t predict how we will fair with our remaining games. But I can say the effort and heart will be there. My goal is to make sure we are a better team after last night.

Thank you all for the support and prayers. See you at the games!

DAJET22

Hope things are well for you all. How was Halloween? Did you go trick or treating? For those who don’t know, trick or treating during Halloween is when the kids put on a costume, and goes around house by house asking for candy. It’s not praticed here as much as in the US, where almost every house will have candy for you. In Manila, you have to go to a secured village, and there are only a few that I know of. Anyway, it’s more important to visit the grave sites of your loved ones. Time to remember the good times you had with them before God asked them to be with HIM.

Getting our first win last week against Coke was huge for us. Sometimes getting that initial win can be the toughest. To follow it up with another big win against Ginebra was also crucial. The lesson learned here is the fact that every game will put us to the test. Because we are coming from a championship conference, teams will play there best ball against us. This means your ACES must be ready for battle every night. What we have done the last 2 games is just a glimpse of our potential. The more we get to know each other better, the more comfortable the new guys become, and the improvement on our physical conditions, the better our team will become. Guys are still learning their roles, and the rookies are understanding the PBA style of play. Once we cover and overcome all these loopholes, we will become a better team.

We appreciate all the support and prayers so far. Please continue because you all are so much a part of the reasons why we try to give our best for the team night in and night out. Thanks especially to my Heart & Soul. See you at the games.

DAJET22

I found your questions rather interesting Thank you for taking the time out to write me but I cannot respond to it just now. My only focus right now is helping Alaska win another championship.

DAJET 22

DAJET 22

Thank you for the message. Wow, I also miss writing in my column, WESTSIDE for Sports Weekly Magazine. That was fun.

I do miss the 3 conference season. For a team and player, you have 3 chances in a year to win a championship. Your odds are pretty good. To win one made your whole year but to win 3 in a row made that year unforgettable. But there are good points that we only have 2 conferences nowadays. One is the fact that we, as players, can really have an off-season. With the 3 conferences, it was possible for you to play 10 or 11 months out of the whole year if you made the semis and finals every conference. Now, we end in July and have the whole month of August for vacation, and September to mid-October to get back into shape. Rest is very important for players. Our careers last longer, and we play at a high level longer.

Also during our break, we give way to our college players as the UAAP and NCAA start their
season. The PBA fans also will miss the PBA so come opening, everyone is excited and eager to see their favorite players and teams.

Thanks again. God bless!

DAJET 22

Thank you very much for your kind words. I appreciate it a lot. To be honest I’m very close to majority of my teammates. I have a unique and special relationship with almost everyone. Some I have played with on other teams, and some I have developed a closeness with. If I had to pick, I’d say I hangout more Mike and Tony. We see each other more often outside of basketball. Nic B was in this group last year with us.

Thanks

DAJET 22

Those are very good questions and thank you for asking. All I can say is that my main concern is what’s best for the team. Sometimes what’s best for the team is not necesarily what you want, but the overall benefits for everyone is the most significant.

As a leader is vital you are approachable to every teammate. It’s important you have a bond between every teamate. And it’s important your teammate understands that no matter what happens, you are behind him 100%. When they understand that, then giving advice or sometimes getting on a teammate during a game can be done knowing he will not take it against you. In a sport where 5
players play at the same time, communication is very important. So being able to talk, scream, demand, and yell at each other sometimes, without the recipient being sensitive is part of the game. We all know that we all have the same goals for that game.

Another thing I want to say is that to be a good leader you have to genuinely care for your teammates. Get to know them off the court, and that will help on the court. Get to know their wife and kids. Find out what their hobbies are away from basketball. Then your teammates will know that you are not just a teammte to them, but you are also a friend.

To end this I’d like to say that respect is not demanded and does not come with the title. Respect is earned, and showing by example is the only way to get REAL respect.

DAJET 22

DAJET 22

It was also very nice to see you again. You know naman once part of my HEART & Soul, always a part of my HEART & SOUL. Take care always and let me know if you can catch a game.

Jeff 22

How are you all doing? Sobrang lapit na, maguumpisa na ulit tayo sa Oct 14. Fot those who don’t know, 1st game ng Aces is on Oct 17 against TNT. Hope you all can make it there because it will be a great game to start the season.

To answer a few questions, I appreciate your letter thechamp. I appreciate the passion you have because we all have that same passion to play, and to win. That’s why I love my teammates because I can rely on them when we go to war come Oct 17. We all have been working hard this pre-season, and we believe that what we put in, is what we will get out of it. Though we know we have a tough task ahead of us, with your support and the thousands around the Phils. We are going to strive for nothing less than excellance this season. A motto we strongly belive in.

For you jolas, I don’t regret my path so far in my career. I honestly believe that God put me on that path, and I have made the most out of every team I’ve played for. I’ve met many people, learned many things, and have grown tremendously as a person, and as a player. If I had a choice to do it all again, I would do it simply because of the fact I met my wife there at Mobiline. With that I’ve become a complete individual.

It is awesome to be back at Alaska though. I started my career here and Coach Tim gave me my first break in the league, so yes this is home for me. And it is always nice to be home. THis Oct 24, will be 3 years since I’ve been back.Thanks to great fans like all of you, coming home is very sweet. So I look forward to seeing you all at the games. If not, I’ll see you here at our wonderful website. Take care everybody.

Dajet 22