Aces tie Orions, 73-all

[See Cagayan De Oro pics. Visit www.acesbyreuel.multiply.com]
[Alaska vs. San Miguel, 6:30 p.m., Oct. 5, Cuneta Astrodome]

The Alaska Aces, tired but energized by their four-day teambuilding in Cagayan De Oro over the weekend, leaned on a blistering finish to battle the import-reinforced Daegu Orions of South Korea to a 73-all standoff at The Arena in San Juan.

The Aces relied on a blistering finish to overhaul a 45-54 deficit after the third period to force a 73-all tie at the end of the game. Being an exhibition match both teams opted to let the score stand.

The Orions paraded two imports in 6-foot-11 Chris Daniels and 6-foot-10 Garnett Thompson while the Aces played with an all-Filipino crew.

Reynel Hugnatan led the Aces with 16 points while Joe Devance added 15 markers. Sonny Thoss, Larry Fonacier and John Ferriols had identical eight points apiece. Willie Miller chipped in seven points. LA Tenorio and Ervin Sotto both finished with two points.

Daniels finished with a game-high 22 points while Thompson had five points.

The Orions were the Korean Basketball League champions in 2003. They have since fallen into hard times and could only reach the semifinals in 2007 and 2006.

The South Koreans have an average height of six feet, 10 inches and an average age of 26.

The Aces are in the final stages of their preparation for the opening of the Philippine Basketball Association All-Filipino Conference set to start Oct. 4 at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

Alaska battles the San Miguel Beermen in their first game at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 5 at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.

The Aces returned last Sunday evening from their four-day teambuilding in Cagayan De Oro.

Last Thursday the Aces visited the Del Monte plantation where they sampled the delicious pineapples grown in the Philippines and sold all over the world. More importantly they interacted with the plantation workers who were only too happy that famous athletes visited them.

Not surprisingly, Cagayan De Oro native son Jojo Lastimosa received the most attention and was mobbed by the workers. Equally popular was Willie Miller, who was up to his usual comic antics.

On Friday the real adventure started as the Aces made the river trek through the Mapawa Nature Park. The trek involved traveling along the riverbed downstream past seven falls. Of the seven falls, three challenged the bravery and resolve of the hardiest adventure seeker.

The first formidable challenge involved sliding down a 25-foot natural water slide and landing into a deep pool. The second challenge involved what looked like a suicide jump from a ledge into a deep pool of water 30 feet below. The third and final challenge was a heart-stopping rappel down the 65-foot Mapawa Falls.

Alaska coach Tim Cone led like a Marine commander jumping into a hot landing zone ahead of his troops. He was the first down the water slide. He was among the first to jump off the ledge and rappel down the waterfalls.

I think, that if you are a 24-year-old athlete it is a little bit easier to jump off a ledge or rappel down a cliff if you see a 50-year-old man doing it first. So I think that is why it is important for me to do it first, said Alaska coach Tim Cone.

The Alaska mentor says that there will come a time that he may have to ask his assistant coaches to lead by example. For the time being he will enjoy doing it while he still can.

On Saturday the Aces went white water rafting in the mighty Cagayan De Oro river. They traversed a 17-kilometer stretch of the river passing through 21 exciting rapids.