Thursday, March 27, 2008 · Alaska Aces in Action

The trade for LA Tenorio in place of Mike Cortez as well as Larry Fonacier for Ken Bono improves the Alaska Aces in a variety of ways.

The trade shores up some weaknesses of our team, said Alaska coach Tim Cone.LA (Tenorio) is a quick defender. He makes us a better team because he can pressure ball carriers on defense.

Tenorio, Fonacier make Aces better The 5-foot-8 Tenorio, 22, played five seasons with the Ateneo De Manila University. He joined Ateneo in 2001 and led his team to the Universities Athletic Association of the Philippines finals where they lost to the De La Salle University Green Archers. In 2002 the Blue Eagles won the UAAP title. They advanced to the UAAP championship for the third straight year in 2003 but lost to the Far Eastern University Tamaraws.

Cone explained that the Aces were not looking to trade Cortez or Bono. Everything started as conversations between some members of the coaching staff of Magnolia and Alaska. Conversations then turned to serious discussions.

Certain things started to make sense for us, said Cone. In the end we saw an opportunity to get better. It was never about personalities. We just saw the chance to get two young guys who fit the team and who will address our weaknesses.

The 6-foot-1 Fonacier, 24, was drafted 14th overall by the Red Bull Barakos in the 2005 PBA Draft. He surprised everyone when he went on to win the Rookie of the Year award.

Larry will improve our outside shooting, said Cone. He is a great perimeter shooter. In the short term he gives us another weapon. In the long term he can step in to take on the leadership role of Jeff (Cariaso). Larry has a tough personality and a strong mind. He could be the next generation of leader for the team

The Alaska coach said the trade was better for the development and maturation of Bono as a player.

We felt that Ken and JR (Quinahan) were retarding each other in terms of developing and becoming better players, said Cone. They split playing time, are too much alike and play with about the same level of skill. Both players would be better off if one were moved. Magnolia decided they wanted Ken and made a good offer. A trade made sense for us.

Fonacier and especially the wise-cracking Tenorio fit right in during their first Alaska practice last Tuesday March 25. The trade was consummated a week before on Wednesday, March 19. But the players were not able to practice with the Aces due to the long vacation because of the Holy Week.

The Aces returned to practice Sunday, March 23 but Tenorio and Fonacier, played during the PBA Ateneo-La Salle exhibition match for the benefit of the PBA Players Educational Trust Fund.

Tenorio and Fonacier are reunited with their former Ateneo coach Joel Banal who handled the reins of the star-studded 2002 UAAP champion team. Banal is one of the assistant coaches of Cone.