Thursday, October 23, 2008 · News

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[See White Water Rafting of Alaska Aces in Cagayan De Oro. Visit URL address: http://www.vimeo.com/1936486]
[See Alaska opening game victory over San Miguel Beer. Visit URL address: http://www.vimeo.com/2033773]

The Alaska Aces have already beaten the highly-fancied Talk N Text Tropang Texters, 101-92, in a pre-season game. They get a chance to prove that they can win when it counts when they battle the Tropang Texters at the Antipolo Ynares Center at 5 p.m. Friday.

The Aces will be looking to post their fifth straight victory and solidify their hold on the top spot of the PBA Philippine Cup. Alaska coach Tim Cone remains guarded about the chances of his team against Talk N Text.

I just hope we can go up and beat Talk and Text, said Cone. They just have so much talent and their only problem would be trying to find the chemistry right now. Their talent is through the roof.

The veteran mentor however said the Aces will enjoy the advantage of experience and that of having played together longer.

Our only advantage right now is that our players have more experience both individually and playing as a team, said Cone. They have young players who will have to rely on just their talent to win against us.

Cone said they are just now reaping the benefits of keeping their core of players together for years.

We have a lot of veteran guys like Willie (Miller) on our team, said one. We do not really have any rookies who are playing major minutes for us. We have a lot of veterans in John (Ferriols), Sonny (Thoss) and Reynel (Hugnatan). Those guys are all veterans now.

In their first meeting Alaska virtually toyed with Talk N Text. The Aces threatened to rip the game wide open when they erected a 20-point bubble, 90-70, early in the fourth period. They then relaxed to allow the Tropang Texters to come closer but finished with a flourish to win pulling away.

Miller led the Aces with 26 points. Jeff Cariaso and Larry Fonacier waxed hot from outside to tally identical 14 markers while Joe Devance had another good scoring night with 13 points.

For the Tropang Texters, Ali Peek showed he was still a force inside the paint by bulldozing his way to a team-high 17 points. Marc Cardona slipped and slid his way to 15 markers. Rookie Jared Dillinger played almost effortless basketball to tally 15 points.

More bad news for the Tropang Texters: Peek still will not be playing.