Alaska Aces Twelve
Head coach Tim Cone signed a contract extension to remain with the team, erasing speculations of his possible dismissal. In the 2006 PBA Draft, Alaska selected Letran’s Aron Aban and UST’s Christian Luanzon.
Staring the 2006-07 PBA Philippine Cup poorly, the Alaska Aces rebounded to finish with an 8-10 record, qualifying themselves a wildcard berth. After losing in a last-second overtime thriller against Coca-Cola, and a win by Sta. Lucia on the next game date, the Aces were eliminated from contention, despite winning their last game against Sta. Lucia.
Injuries to Reynel Hugnatan, suffered during the semifinals of the 2006 Philippine Cup, and to Mike Cortez during the start of the season depleted the Aces in the tournament.
Alaska held a 7-4 card as of the All-Star break of the Fiesta Conference with the hardworking, all-around Rosell Ellis as import. Willie Miller provided a strong performance for the Aces during the tournament posting numerous 20 points outputs.
Ace playmaker Mike Cortez came back during the latter part of the elimination round. Alaska finished 12-6, 2nd in the elimination round and beat the Barangay Ginebra Kings 103-95 via an amazing comeback to earn an automatic semifinal slot joining Red Bull Barako, who already earned a semifinal slot finishing 13-5, 1st in the league.
The Alaska Aces reached the Finals for the 19th time when they beat the San Miguel Beermen in the semifinals (4-2) in six games.
Alaska faced the tough Talk N’ Text Phone Pals in a Finals series that stretched all through seven games. Alaska won its hard-earned victory in Game Seven, after coming back from two straight losses in Games Two and Three and tying the series in Game Six. The Aces sealed their win 99-96, during the last seconds of Game Seven at the Cunerta Astrodome where the PBA had not played a championship game for quite some time.
Willie Miller was named Player of the Series and MVP of the season , his second, while Ellis won the well-deserved Best Import honors.
In the recently concluded annual PBA Draft, the Alaska Aces was way down at sixth and seventh places but somehow managed to bag the best big man pair in the 2007 PBA Draft.
Drafting behind four teams, the Aces snagged former Adamson University Falcon and reigning University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Most Valuable Player Ken Bono and Cebuano bruiser JR Quinahan with the sixth and seventh picks.
The Alaska Aces even became a lot younger after recently trading veteran Nic Belasco for Junjun Cabatu of the Welcoat Dragons. The trade was mutually beneficial to both teams, with Alaska gaining a promising big man while the Dragons gained an experienced veteran to bring stability to their young frontline.
With more younger big men, the Alaska Aces started conditioning and practice in preparation for tougher, more competitive conferences.
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