So, the game starts. The only thing I knew about basketball was that the team with the highest points at the end of 4 quarters wins. I cheered and shouted when they got baskets and booed when the other team scored. I was a player fan, yes. And I cheered for the Aces because, well, Chris Banchero. haha I always asked my friend then, "Bakit foul?", "Sino naka-shoot?" and more. I couldn't even distinguish Ping Exciminiano from Calvin Abueva. haha I just cheered for whoever on their team made baskets. If you're a fan of Filipino basketball, you would know how Ginebra fans are. They were booing Abueva as I was cheering for him, though I had no idea why they were booing him. That was how unknowledgeable I was about basketball. Long story short, and sadly, they lost that day. My friends were joking and telling me that I was "MALASKA", that I was the jinx for the team. Nevertheless, I still rooted for them. It really wasn't hard that time because they made their way into the semis, and eventually the finals.
After that, I always watched their games, whether live or on TV. I would cheer my heart out wherever I was, whether at home or at the venue. I started knowing the players' names and what they did, but still I didn't fully understand basketball. I watched them win and lose games, live or on TV. I admit I only watch basketball to look at the cute players but as the season went by, somewhere in between cheering for Chris Banchero and booing when their opponent shot free throws, this team has captured me.
I fell for them: hook, line and sinker. There was something about this team that made me want to root for them. Maybe one reason was that because they were an independent team in the PBA. I didn't know what it was before but I felt that they were different from other teams. I knew they were doing something that other teams didn't do, i just didn't know what it was. Then i came across #WeNotMe. It was that unselfish way they all played. Even though Abueva was the most famous of all of them, you could see when he played that he didn't hog the ball. There was no "superstar" in their team. They played basketball exactly the way it was meant to be played - as a team. I didn't say that the other teams didn't have teamwork, but with the Aces, their teamwork was very evident with their unselfish plays. (**FYI: I'm no expert and all of this are based on observations and some articles I read about the team.)
Seeing how great they are as a team, it was a heartbreak to see them lose to the San Miguel Beermen in the AFC last year and esp. the Governor's Cup, because SMB won 4 straight games in the finals. It made me wonder, how? Why? I know they did their best but I kept on asking why they didn't win even a single game in that finals series. But then, who was I to ask, right? Besides, it was done. There was no point in blaming whoever for not shooting the ball. There was nothing they could to anymore.
Personally, I think that those tough losses made them work harder for this present season. They were top seed for this elimination round, which automatically qualified them for the semis. I knew they improved as a team but I couldn't pinpoint where. haha By reading articles on them, and observing the way they played, i think they all improved on their own and incorporated it into the team. They became more aggressive and you could see the hunger and how bad they wanted to win this. Proof of that is when they won those 4 games in the semis, different men stood put as Best Player of the Game.
This team never fails to amaze me. That is what I love about them, their love of the game. As of this writing, they have already won 2 games against SMB in the AFC. Those 2 wins were not easy, i felt and saw them work hard for each of the shots, commit turnovers, do comebacks and stretch a minute of game time to 10 minutes real time to protect their lead and win. They need to win 2 more but I'm sure they know it wouldn't be easy. Their opponent, SMB is looking for back to back championships in the AFC and they, the Alaska Aces, are looking for redemption from their last 2 losses from the same team, and also their 15th championship. I would like for nothing more than for them to win this 15th championship. I know they deserve it and have been clamoring for it. Know that I'll be cheering for all of you through all of this! Go Alaska Aces!!
If you asked me a year ago who my favourite Alaska Aces player is, I could answer you in a snap. But now, I wouldn't be able to give you a direct answer because that's how the whole team works, not just the players but also the coaches, you fall in love with them as a team, with their unselfish plays and strong offense and almost perfect defense. Their #WeNotMe mantra is working perfectly for them and I wouldn't have it any other way. :)
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