Sunday, June 29, 2014

Alaska Aces: All Heart

Alaska Aces just finished their Brilliant run this Governor's cup Yesterday with a loss against the Rain Or Shine Elasto Painters. 

But even though they are eliminated, they earned my respect in this Governor's Cup. How can you not be enthralled with this Alaska team? they showed Great heart in their whole run this PBA 2014 Governor's Cup

They had a minor setbacks at the start of the conference, in their first 2 games Alaska had a 1-1 record everything was going well until the Trillo's announces their leave in the Alaska camp, leaving the Alaska team Coach-less. After that the Alaska team appointed Assistant Coach Alex Compton to Replace Luigi trillo in the head coach position. 

The First few games of Alex Compton was exceptional, Alaska Won against Talk N Text but had a 3-game losing streak. In their 3rd losing streak, Alaska was defeated by Rain or Shine by 51 points and it led to the resurgence of the Alaska. Alaska won it's last 3 games and even finished the playoffs in the top 4 earning a Twice-to-beat Advantage against the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel. 

They defeated Ginebra thus allowing them to advance for the Semi-final round against the Rain or shine Elasto Painters. They gave the Rain or shine a tough match, Every game was very physical and emotions went high. This Alaska team just couldn't be intimidated by the Rugged Play style of the Rain or shine, they fought them Mano e mano. 

The very heartbreaking part of this series is the game 4 where Alaska had a 2-1 advantage against the Rain or shine, one more win and Finals here they come. 

Game 4 was a very close game, actually Alaska crawled from being down by as much as 18 points and sending the game into Overtime. In the Overtime Period both teams are already unleashing it's big guns and when the other team makes a run, the other retaliates. So there was this time it was around the last minute and Jvee Casio stole the ball from Paul Lee. He was left all alone in the other side of the court but sad part is that he slipped and committed a turnover plus he injured his right leg because of that bad slip and with that, Rain or shine won game 4 and forced a game 5. 

In game 5 this is where the Alaska Aces Squad showed Heart. because 3 key players will not suit up on this very important game: Sonny Thoss (back Spasms) Jvee Casio (The Right leg) Gabby Espinas (Fractured right ankle). Everyone thought Rain or shine will win convincingly. But the Cebuano Hotshot won't allow that. Don Don Hontiveros led the charge for the Alaska Aces shooting the lights out for the Alaska Aces. It was a hard fought match but sadly Alaska lost with just 4 points and Rain or shine advances to the Finals against the San Mig Coffee Mixers.

Photo by SlamOnline.PH 



Alaska Aces may have lost this Governors cup but they just showed the epitome of the word Never say die. I actually never thought that they'd reached this far because of the new coach but Coach Alex Compton also showed heart, he never let the doubters gets the best of him but he still did his job and led this Bruised Alaska Team into a Semi final Finish. 

No matter how undersized you are, but you showed great heart for the game you will end up in a good note and I just want y'all to see what Alaska did and take it as a Lesson that even though you are down you just have to fight it with all your heart and who knows you might succeed.

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Perks of Having a Zaccheus Mason Like Import

Zaccheus Mason might be the youngest and let's say the least experienced import of all imports at this Present Governor's Cup.

Coming from Tennessee, Zach Mason doesn't have any experience in the field of Professional Basketball Yet he was the assigned import for the famous Barangay Ginebra San Miguel team. 
Credit to: RG GRFX

But with that inexperience I see it as a Advantage especially with a team like ginebra who's coming from a offense change. Coach Jeffrey Cariaso Installed the Triangle Offense in the camp of Ginebra and with that he needs cooperative players. 

You see because of the inexperience of Zach Mason, He will surely follow all the tasks given to him by coach jeff and he will see this one as a learning experience for him to be a better player when he comes back in the United States. 

He may not be the flashiest of the imports around nor the well-known import but as you can see he is doing well in the PBA it's because he is young, ready to listen and ready to do every tasks given to him. 

Sometimes credentials are not the basis of a good player in a basketball team, but with great attitude and great skills even without a colorful background you can be successful in everything you do and that is what Zaccheus Mason shows to every one of us.