Baguio has exceeded all expectations

Cyrus Baguio joined the Alaska Aces in a trade for Willie Miller who was shipped to the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings last April 10.

Many considered it a lopsided trade in favor of Ginebra. Miller was a two-time Philippine Basketball Association Most Valuable Player and undoubtedly the main man and best closer of the Alaska Aces.

In contrast, Baguio was a seldom-used reserved buried deep in the Ginebra bench.

The trade is proving to be indeed lopsided. But it has proven to be lopsided in favor of Alaska. After three months of action in the PBA Fiesta Cup Miller has been average with Ginebra while Baguio has been nothing short of spectacular for the Aces.

Baguio led the Aces to notable wins, has topped the local scoring of the Aces on many occasions, is unstoppable on the break alongside LA Tenorio and already has one Player of the Week citation from the PBA Press Corps.

Most importantly Baguio has folded seamlessly into the Alaska triangle offense.

“We truly thought the skills of Cyrus would blend well with the triangle. But the rate in which he has intellectually woven himself into the triangle is quite a surprise, even astounding,” said Alaska coach Tim Cone.

“In addition, he has impacted us in other areas of the game as well, especially defensively. And he has been a really good chemistry guy. He is very quiet and unassuming, humble even.”

After the conclusion of the elimination round the Aces expect even more from their new recruit. Playoff basketball is different from basketball played in the regular season. Baguio will have to do more than just freelance on a fast-break offense.

“Throughout the eliminations we always try to prepare the team for playoff basketball,” said coach Tim. “You cannot live on transition basketball in the playoffs. Teams are always prepared and work a lot harder and get back faster. Hence transition baskets are limited in the playoffs and the scores are lower. So half-court basketball is the name of the game, and of course, defense.”

Baguio is in his element when sprinting down-court running alongside Tenorio on a fast-break attack. But there will not be too many such opportunities when the playoffs start.

“So no doubt, the skill of Cyrus really lends itself to the transition game,” said Coach Tim. “But in the end, Cyrus will really need to impact our half-court triangle game just as much, which we feel he can do. That is what we will try to continue to upgrade during this wild card break.”

Baguio and Tenorio are not only whippet-quick on offense they are also tenacious defenders. In the second elimination round game against Ginebra Baguio tallied two important blocks, on Eric Menk and Mark Caguioa, which helped the Aces beat the Gin Kings.

“We can use our quickness out front to contain the ball and our size underneath to protect the basket. If you can do those two things and control the boards, you give yourself a good chance to win basketball games,” said Coach Tim.

Baguio has immersed himself completely in the Alaska triangle. Other than practicing on the court Baguio studiously watches videos on how the triangle is played.

“We have a lot of videos of the Los Angeles Lakers,” said coach Tim. “He (Baguio) watched many of those tapes. He also watched the old Chicago Bulls (with Michael Jordan). We still got the video from there. We used the Chicago Bulls material as training tape for him to study.”

Cone believes Baguio has been able to grasp the nuances of the triangle offense primarily because of hard work and perseverance during practice. It also did not hurt that UST coach Aric Del Rosario, the former assistant coach of Alaska, implemented a similar triangle offense when Baguio was in college.

“But really it will come from experience and everyday practice,” said Coach Tim. “You practice five-on-five and get the feel for it. Like I said he (Baguio) knew the basics because of Coach Del Rosario. But he does not know the nuances and the sets and the stuff that we ran off the triangle. But we do not want to complicate it too much for him too soon because otherwise he might lose his game.”

Baguio, the newest Alaska Ace, has virtually transformed the team. The quick-stepping off guard teams up well with LA Tenorio at the backcourt and has remolded the Alaska Aces from a half-court set team to an exciting fast breaking, run-and-gun unit.

And because of this not only are the Aces winning, they are also an absolute joy to watch as they play.