Finally, it’s Ginebra

After almost a month-long break the Alaska Aces return to action 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10 at the Araneta Coliseum when they face the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings at the start of the best-of-seven semifinals of the PBA Philippine Cup.

The Aces, who had to wait to find out which team they will play after topping the eliminations and advancing outright to the semifinals, are ready and eager to return to action according to Alaska coach Tim Cone.

“The team is very focused and ready to play in the semifinals,” said coach Tim. “Guys are working hard. I like the way they have prepared. We’re well-rested and focused and I think we’re ready to get going. We’ve got a great chance.”

The Gin Kings emerge out of a drama-filled quarterfinal playoff against the Talk n Text Tropang Texters. TnT posted a 2-0 lead but lost Game 3. They then lost Game 4 when they walked out after forward Ranidel De Ocampo was assessed a flagrant foul 2 and was banished from the game by the referees.

Ranidel sent Ronald Tubid to the floor with an errant right elbow early in Game 4. The very same Ranidel bloodied the nose of Sonny Thoss with a right elbow to the face in the Philippine Cup Finals last year.

TnT subsequently lost Game 5 as Ginebra dug itself out of 0-2 hole to eventually beat the Tropang Texters, 3-2, in the quarterfinals.

The biggest question the Aces face will be how sharp they will be following the long break. But coach Tim assures that there will be no repetition of the sudden letdown in the performance of the Aces following the long Christmas break during the tail end of eliminations.

“That is something we have tried to address and we think the guys are ready now to play their best basketball,” he said. “I think we got a little out of shape after the long break last time. We’ve really pushed hard during this break so I think we’ll be getting down the floor faster in the next series.”

The Aces will be looking to avenge their 90-93 loss to the Gin Kings in Batangas City last Jan. 9. Willie Miller and LA Tenorio led a blazing comeback by the Aces which ultimately fell short.

The Alaska mentor said he looked forward to another classic playoff against Ginebra.

Alaska beat the Robert Jaworski-coached Ginebra, 4-1, to win the 1996 Governors Cup en route to completing their Grand Slam year. But Ginebra (renamed Gordon’s Gin) and Jaworski evened the score when they annexed the 1997 Commissioner’s Cup at Alaska’s expense the following year.

“It’s been a long time,” said coach Tim. “I’m looking forward to renewing old ties! It’s always fun to perform on the big stage against such a crowd favorite as Ginebra. It should be a great series.”

Alaska and Ginebra clash for the first time ever in the post Jaworski era.

The Gin Kings showed their resilience by prevailing in three straight must-win games to rule the quarterfinal playoff that was marred by a walkout instigated by TnT coach Chot Reyes.

“Chot’s a great friend, but I don’t believe you ever walk out in a game,” said coach Tim. “But each to his own. We’ll see where this ends. But he’s too brilliant of a coach not to bounce back. And he’ll come back with a fury. Watch out for TnT next conference!”

PBA fans get a special treat in the semifinals as the four most successful, most popular teams in the league - the San Miguel Beermen, Alaska, Ginebra and the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants - square off in a pair of best-of-seven semifinal duels.

Coach Tim says he was not surprised with the cast of the semifinals. “That three San Miguel teams (San Miguel Beer, Ginebra and Purefoods) made it is not a coincidence. Those teams are powerhouses. They’ve been building up those teams through trades over the last three years or so,” he said.