Like a jewel with many facets new Alaska Aces import Diamon Simpson proved to be a multi-talented player who could do 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.
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Like a jewel with many facets new Alaska Aces import Diamon Simpson proved to be a multi-talented player who could do 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.
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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.
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There will be no rest for the weary Alaska Aces. They return to work immediately after the long grinding season of the past Philippine Cup with practices starting Monday, March 8 at the Reyes Gym in Mandaluyong, Metro Manila.

We will not be taking any long vacations, said Alaska veteran Tony Dela Cruz. We will be starting practice immediately. We start practice Monday with our new import. Coach (Tim Cone) wants us ready to go by Monday.

Dela Cruz admitted they were truly beaten by the Giants. He said the Aces tried their best but lost to the better team. He said all the players on the team have dedicated themselves to doing better in the Fiesta Cup.

I gave my all after every game of that championship, said Dela Cruz. Every one of my teammates gave their all after every game. Maybe technically I could have done better. Maybe I could have shot better or rebounded better. But in terms effort I gave my 100 percent effort after every game.

The Alaska Aces bowed to the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants, 76-86, to yield Game 4 and the championship of the 2010 PBA Philippine Cup. The Giants swept Alaska 4-0 in the finals the same way that the Aces swept the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings 4-0 in the semifinals.

Lost in the din of the 4-0 sweep by Purefoods is the fact that the first three games were decided in the dying seconds. Two of those three games were decided by one point.

And Game 2 was officiated so badly that even former San Miguel Beer coach, now TV analyst, Norman Black openly questioned the calls made by the referees during the live broadcast of the game.
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The Alaska Aces wilted under the grinding pressure to bow to the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants, 76-86, and yield the championship of the 2010 PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum, last Wednesday.

The Giants swept Alaska 4-0 in the finals the same way that the Aces swept the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings 4-0 in the semifinals.

Willie Miller drained a triple to cut the Purefoods lead to only five points, 76-81, with still 2:14 to go in the game. The triple capped a 9-4 Alaska run which almost erased a 67-77 Purefoods lead.

James Yap countered with his own triple to extend the Purefoods lead back to eight points, 76-84, with 1:48 to go.

The left-handed Miller then scooted in to convert a right-handed layup. But his basket was waved off as he was called by the referees for a charging foul, effectively ending the rally of the Aces.

Roger Yap finalized the tally, 76-86, on a jumpshot.

The Aces attacked the paint often and were rewarded for their aggressiveness with points inside the paint or given free throws by the referees. But nerves got the better of the Aces who missed 15 free throw attempts, converting only 17 of 32 free throws or an appalling 53 percent conversion rate.

Early in the fourth period Reynel scored on a layup as the Aces crept closer to the Purefoods lead, 65-68, with still 8:13 to go in the game. But James Yap scored back-to-back layups to power a 7-0 Purefoods run as the Aces fell behind by 10 points, 65-75.

Sonny Thoss, finally unhampered by early fouls, turned in his best game of the series scoring 19 points and grabbing 12 rebounds.
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[Watch the Alaska Aces battle the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Mar. 3 at the Araneta Coliseum in Game 4 of the PBA Philippine Cup championship.]

The Alaska Aces, trailing the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants 0-3 in the best-of-seven championship series of the PBA Philippine Cup, are not asking for special favors from the referees officiating the matches. They just want equal treatment.

Gusto lang namin parehas, said veteran center John Ferriols. Bakit noong kay Kerby (Raymundo) tinawagan ng foul si (Joe) Devance sa Game 2? Bakit noong same situation kay Willie (Miller), walang foul na tinawag?

Kerby Raymundo, who attempted the final shot for Purefoods, was given two free throws after a touch foul was called on Joe Devance who nudged Raymundo in the dying seconds of Game 2. Raymundo split his charities to send the Giants to an 86-85 victory and a 2-0 lead.

Willie Miller, who attempted the final shot for Alaska, was hammered in the face and sent sprawling to the floor by Marc Pingris in the dying seconds of Game 3. No foul was called even as a frustrated Miller stood up with blood dripping from his nostrils. The Giants went on to post a 79-78 victory and a 3-0 lead.

Masyado naman kita ang bias ng referees, said Ferriols. Kitang kita ang foul kay Willie sa Game 3. Dugo nga ang mukha niya. Pagkatapos, walang foul. Hindi parehas ang tawagan ng referees.

The Aces may be trailing 0-3 but all the games have been competitive up to the bitter end.

The Aces lost Game 1 by four points, 81-77. They lost Game 2 by a point, 86-85, after Kerby Raymundo was awarded an undeserved free throw in the dying seconds. The Aces lost Game 3 by a point, 79-78, after Miller was hammered, bloodied and sent to the floor but not awarded by a call by the referees.
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This is getting to be a habit.

The Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants scored the crucial points down the stretch while the Alaska Aces could not, as Alaska bowed to Purefoods, 78-79, in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum last Sunday.

With the loss the Aces now trail the Giants 0-3 in their best-of-seven championship duel.

Like in Game 2 the Aces not only could not score in the final minutes of the game but also made crucial turnovers to allow the Giants to escape with the victory.

Willie Miller drained a jumpshot to push the Aces to a shaky three-point lead, 77-74, with three minutes to go in the game.

Marc Pingriss missed two free throws in the Purefoods offensive but instead of icing the game the Aces could not capitalize on the opportunity as Joe Devance threw away the ball with an errant pass which his teammates could not handle.

KG Canaleta made a three-pointer to tie the count, 77-77, with 1:30 to go in the game.

Rey Hugnatan made another passing error, throwing the ball to the midcourt line and out of bounds just as Miller made a turn toward the Alaska basket.

Kerby Raymundo faked a jumper and as Devance jumped up to try to block, Raymundo spun the other way to convert a left-handed layup and the Aces fell behind by two points, 77-79, with 57 seconds to go.

Willie Miller then split his charities, 78-79, with 31 seconds to go. The scorer ended up the final count.
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The Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants got the benefit of a referee call so bad even the TV panel questioned it during their live broadcast to steal Game 2 of the best-of-seven championship of the PBA Philippine Cup, 86-85.

Referees whistled Alaska big men with touch fouls all evening long, handicapping Sonny Thoss with four fouls in the first half and Reynel Hugnatan with five fouls before the fourth quarter.

The evening culminated with referee Maui Maurillo whistling Alaska big men Joe Devance for a blocking foul on Kerby Raymundo with 1.6 seconds left to play and the score tied at 85-all.

Raymundo made his first free throw and missed his second as the Aces went down in defeat to trail 0-2 in their playoff series.

I am sure Purefoods is not very happy right now, said Alaska team manager Joaqui Trillo who faced the PBA Corps in the Araneta Center media room after the game. I am sure they are not happy the way that game was decided. Maybe they would have won in overtime just the same. But we will never know after the referees made that terrible call.

Not a single reporter in the Araneta media room dared question the righteous sentiments of the Alaska team manager.

The call made by Maurillo was so bad that even TV analyst Norman Black openly questioned the call over live TV.

Overtime! said Black as the shot of Raymundo fell short and into the hands of Reynel Hugnatan. But wait, regulation period is not yet over. Referee Maurillo apparently decided to make a belated call.

What, they called a foul? asked an unbelieving Black over the TV broadcast. I thought they played pretty good defense, but they (referees) called a foul.
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[Watch Game 2 of the best-of-seven championship series of the 2010 PBA Philippine Cup as the Alaska Aces battle the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants, 7 p.m., Feb. 26, Friday at the Araneta Coliseum.]

In a defensive battle that could have gone either way the Alaska Aces were outlasted by the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants, 77-81, in Game 1 of the best-of-seven championship of the PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum last Wednesday.

It really came down to the fact that they did a good job stopping our rhythm, said Alaska coach Tim Cone. We did not play good basketball in stretches. I did not think we played well at all. But we battled. Some of that goes to them but we can play better than that.

The Aces could hardly be faulted for letting this one slip away as Rafi Reavis, of all people, scored back to back layups which proved to be the marginal baskets against the Aces.

Reynel Hugnatan converted his own layup to cut the Purefoods lead to only two points, 74-76, with 3:53 to go in the game. Reavis then scored the marginal baskets as the Aces fell behind for good, 74-80, with just 35 seconds to go in the game.

Willie Miller drained a triple while KG Canaleta split his charities to finalize the count at 77-81.

Despite the Game 1 loss the Alaska mentor refused to worry too much about the chances of his team.

One game does not make a series, said coach Tim. Especially the first of a seven-game series.

The Aces face an uphill climb with the defeat in Game 1. Fifty out of 78 teams, or 65 percent, which took a 1-0 lead in a best-of-seven series went on to win the series. Historically, the situation is not too bleak for Alaska. In the past two conference finals the team which lost Game 1 eventually went on to win the championship.
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The Alaska Aces and the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants, both proponents of tireless, resolute defense, start their best-of-seven duel for the championship of the PBA Philippine Cup Wednesday night when they battle 7:30 p.m. at the Araneta Coliseum.

“We’ve always believed in our defense,“ said Alaska coach Tim Cone. “We feel we can step up our defense anytime. Defense wins championships and this series will not be any different.“

The Aces advanced to the championship by sweeping the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings in the semifinals. The Giants took a longer route by outlasting the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the quarterfinals and subduing the San Miguel Beermen in the semifinals.

Coach Tim said he was still in awe at how the Giants handled the mighty Beermen in the semifinals.

“Early in their series we thought Purefoods played with tremendous heart giving San Miguel all they could handle. But as the series progressed Purefoods started dominating San Miguel. Then Purefoods beat San Miguel three games in a row. That was an amazing feat. We expect them to play at a higher level in the finals,“ said coach Tim.

“We were amazed at how they were able to shut down the lane against San Miguel. They were able to control Jay Washington and Arwind Santos, two skilled, athletic players. They were able to control San Miguel’s offense. The Beermen are so sharp yet Purefoods was able to figure them out.“

The Aces will have to overcome the league-best defense of the Giants which allows only 85 points per game.
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