Diamon Simpson shows many facets

Like a jewel with many facets new Alaska Aces import Diamon Simpson proved to be a multi-talented player who could many things to help his team.

With a PBA-certified height of six feet, five and three-fourth inches Simpson was big enough to bang bodies with Alaska bigs Sonny Thoss and Sam Eman. He was also quick enough to beat Alaska wingmen Mark Borboran and Jeff Cariaso with dribble drives to the hoop. And when the lane was closed he had the touch to sink outside shots including a few triples.

At the defensive end Simpson was a tireless rebounder, worked hard to box out and relentlessly pursued every loose ball.

I am very excited to be playing with the Alaska Aces, said Simpson after the Aces completed their practice. They are very athletic. They are very competitive. I like it a lot. I enjoy working with them and I know we can get the job done.

Simpson said he already had a long talk with Alaska coach Tim Cone and he was aware of the high expectations that everybody has for the team. He said he was confident of being able to help the team achieve its goals.

He (coach Tim) told me to come in and help them win. So I am going to do my best, said Simpson. I know that this team wants to win a championship this conference and I hope to help them achieve that goal. I cannot wait to compete at that level.

Simpson hit the ground running almost literally. He arrived in the Philippines Sunday evening on Mar. 7. He had a restful sleep then reported for the Alaska practice at the Reyes gym at 12 noon Monday, Mar. 8. Simpson attended the players and coaches meeting and then went on to do the drills and scrimmages at 1 to 3 p.m. in the afternoon.

Coach Tim said he was very pleased with their talented, young new import.

He is obviously very skilled, said coach Tim. He is tall. He is long. He is young. He has got a lot of skills. He has got a lot of knowledge of the triangle so those are the key things for us in bringing him along.

The Alaska mentor was particularly pleased because Simpson was already familiar with the Alaska triangle offense.

He is actually the first import we ever had where we went to practice immediately, said Cone. Usually we spend about a week telling our imports about the triangle. But since he already knows about the triangle we went to practice immediately. That saved us a lot of time.

Coach Tim said he hoped that Simpson will have a long and fruitful relationship with the Alaska Aces.

The most important thing is he is very young and he has an opportunity to grow with us. The fact that he is only 22, he is going to be energetic. He is going to be happy to be here and hopefully he can grow with us and we can develop as a team not just this conference but other conferences down the line. We are really excited about him.

Simpson had a busy afternoon. After the practices he and trainer Gus Vargas went straight to the PBA offices where he was measured and confirmed to have a height of six feet, five and three-fourth inches.

At practice Alaska rookie Mike Burtsher celebrated his 25th birthday. He treated everybody to Pizza Hut and was doused with ice-cold Gatorade and greeted: Happy Birthday by his teammates led by Willie Miller.

The Aces have a lot of making up to do after being swept 4-0 by the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants who won the PBA Philippine Cup title.

Nothing less than winning the championship of the PBA Fiesta Cup will satisfy the Aces who at least will have a jewel of an import in Diamon Simpson.