PBA Season 42 Preview: Alaska Aces
Alaska Aces. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Alaska is tired of being the bridesmaid.
Finishing second place four times in the past two seasons, the Aces are motivated more than ever to win that hardware home.
“We always talk about excellence and we’re tired of second place,” said coach Alex Compton. “I’m not foolish enough to try to guarantee something, but we’re aiming for the championship.”
Hunger doesn’t justify the feeling the team has, and it will definitely be a rallying point for the crew this season.
Calvin Abueva will lead Alaska anew as he rubs his energy off to his teammates. He will also still have the veteran presence of Sonny Thoss, JVee Casio, and Dondon Hontiveros to bank on.
Also returning this season will be Vic Manuel, who just recovered from his calf injury.
The Aces also boast a promising future, with Chris Banchero, RJ Jazul and Ping Exciminiano manning the backcourt, while rookie Carl Bryan Cruz adding to the team’s wealth of hardworkers.
With almost an intact lineup to boot, Compton is optimistic that the learnings from the past two years will be enough to end the heartbreaks and get Alaska over the hump.
“I have no idea what’s going to happen this season, but we’re going to go for it,” he said.
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