
Head coach Tim Cone signed a contract extension to remain with the team, erasing speculation of his possible dismissal. In the 2006 PBA Draft, Alaska selected Letran's Aaron Aban and UST's Christian Luanzon.
Starting the 2006-07 PBA Philippine Cup poorly, they've 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, via a kick from Purefoods shooting guard Noy Castillo during the semifinals of the 2006 Philippine Cup against the Purefoods Chunkee Giants, and Mike Cortez, during the start of the seasonafter falling awkwardly againsts Marlou Aquino and the Sta. Lucia Realtors, depleted the Aces in the tournament.
Alaska started the Fiesta Conference with a 7-4 card before the All-Star break, with Rosell Ellis as their import. Shooting Guard, Willie Miller provided a strong performance for the Aces during the tournament posting numerous 20 point-games.
Ace playmaker Mike Cortez came back in the late 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.
They reached the Finals for the 19th time when they beat the San Miguel Beermen in the semifinals (4-2) in six games. They faced the Talk N' Text Phone Pals, who surprised Red Bull Barako in six games. The Aces drew first blood by taking game 1 but fell behind with a 1-2 series deficit. Newly crowned MVP candidate Willie Miller erupted for 29 points to tie the series. Miller, though, turned cold on Game 6 as the Phone Pals went over the hill, 3-2.
Miller then shone through a sterling offensive performance for a 37-point output on Game 6 to force Game 7. Game 7 was a tight affair but the Aces broke through with a Miller steal off Fiesta Conference Best Player Mark Cardona to seal Alaska's first title since 2000.
[Back to Alaska Main]
No comments:
Post a Comment