How Their Determination Will Make You Love the Aces

Aaaaaand the Aces manage to survive Game 5! 

Tight defense and good offense were their weapons last Game 5. 

It was a very close game but the Aces got out of it alive, forcing another game vs ROS.

That was the longest 48 minutes of being on my toes, wishing that all the shots of the Aces came in and that the ones by ROS didn't. As always, I think it was the Aces' heart and determination, the will to survive that got them the win. 

Obviously short on players, they managed to make the most out of who they have and bring a new kind of game to the court. Kevin Racal was a big surprise for the past 2 games. It felt like Coach Alex just waited for the perfect time to unleash him. I believe that was also a factor that helped them win. Another thing I've noticed about them was their desire and drive to win. It was evident in each and everyone of them. With all the high levels of energy and fighting spirit, it was as if Calvin Abueva had rubbed off on all of them. I could never be more proud of them. With this kind of players, it's not surprising that people love and believe in them so much. 

I'll be keeping this short. 

I know it's a bit too much already Aces, but can I ask you for one more win (or two)? We've gotten this far to just let it all go to waste. Just continue doing what you did on Games 4 and 5 and don't lose the heart and determination. The series isn't over, let's stretch it to one more game! I know it's not easy, I think that it gets harder and harder each game, but I know you can do it! 

As always, we got your back! 

GO ALASKA! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! 

How Can You Not Love the Aces?

*unselfish plays - CHECK

*wenotme - CHECK

*teamwork - CHECK

*almost perfect defense - CHECK

*consistency - CHECK

Now that wasn't so hard, right? CHAR. Haha

The Aces were able to force a Game 5 against ROS with a 12-pt win last Friday the 13th. While Friday the 13th was mostly believed to be an unlucky day, it proved to be otherwise for the Aces. Starting off with a BPC award for Calvin Abueva and ending the day with a win, avoiding the dreaded "sweep." 

I wasn't even thinking of the BPC awarding on that day. All I thought about was, are the Aces gonna win Game 4? I prepared myself for a Game 4 loss but no matter what. There's still a part of me who wishes that the Aces would click somehow, that I'd see them play Alaska basketball. Game 4 was a test to them, to see how hungry they were, how much they were willing to do for the team. 

I've read interviews, articles and statements from the players, saying that, they would do the best they can for Game 4, they've got nothing lose already so might as well give it their all. They couldn't afford to make mistakes, commit turnovers and miss free throws. I wondered how they would play that day, but I was hoping to see the Alaska Aces play the way they always did: with heart and drive to win. 

Then the time came. Game time. But first, the awarding of the BPC. Everyone was 99% sure that Calvin Abueva would bag this one. And he did. (Raise your hand if you got teary-eyed when you heard his name being called. I know I did.) The celebration didn't last long though. A few minutes after that, Alaska's do-or-die game was about to begin. 

I was nervous, yet hopeful. Then I got the  first surprise of the day - rookie Kevin Racal was starting for the Aces. The game was slowly unfolding in front of me. Halfway (or maybe just minutes) into the 1st q, I got my next surprise- I realized they were playing Alaska basketball. They were back! The hustle, carefully "thought of" passes and their signature "almost perfect defense." It all somehow clicked. I'm so proud and happy for them. Maybe it was the BPC award of Abueva, or their will to prove that they can beat ROS, or just to prove to themselves that they are just as strong and as deserving for a championship title. 

They've got a long way to go, it's not an easy road, but they already got through one obstacle. Go for one more (or three)! 

Hey Alaska Aces, would it be too much to ask for another win on Sunday, May 15? Show them what a powerhouse team you are. Be consistent and hungry for the win! My fellow Aces fans and I, we got your back! 

GO ALASKA! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! 

How to Still Love the Aces?

Kung paulit-ulit kang nasasaktan at pinapaasa, susukuan mo na ba, o magtitiwala ka pa din? #HugotAlaska

Three times being a runner up in the last 2 years (against the same team -- how painful is that??), I thought the Alaska Aces would take this Commissioner's Cup Finals against ROS by storm. I wasn't able to watch Games 1 and 2 but based on what I read online, they weren't doing very well, add to it the absence of Vic Manuel and Jvee Casio, they were also at a disadvantage. I believed, though, with all my heart that they would win Game 3. They wouldn't want to go back to a 0-3 hole like they experienced against SMB, thus leading to a sweep. 

I was wrong. Here we are again. 0-3 on a best of 7 series. Just like what happened to them against SMB. Watching game 3, I felt that they were lacking energy. Sure, they had spurts of energy and tight defense, but they weren't consistent. Now, it wasn't a matter of blaming Coach Compton for replacing who was "hot" on the court with "fresh legs", which breaks the Aces' momentum because there wasn't one to break in the first place! It was frustrating because their shots weren't going in and it also didn't help that ROS kept on making 3-pt shots. The Aces were able to cut the lead down to 4pts but, the game was over then. If only there were another 2 minutes left. If only RJ Jazul didn't miss that technical free throw. If only they scored in the three times they ran back and forth on the court with ROS. 

My spirit was at an all-time low after watching that game. I wanted to believe that the Aces still had a chance in winning this series. But, in my mind, I knew there wasn't. Sure, they could grab a win (2 if they were really lucky). BUT I KNEW THEY COULDN'T WIN 4 STRAIGHT GAMES AGAINST ROS esp if they are playing like the way they did on Game 3! I know I sound negative but I'm just being realistic. 

I stil wanted to cheer for them, believe in them, but I didn't know where to get the fighting spirit, I felt that I had slowly lost faith in them. I couldn't say the words "Tiwala lang" anymore, esp. when you read in an article that the Aces themselves don't even know what's happening anymore. 

I was looking for something that would inspire me to believe in them again and write something that would encourage them or even just the fans to still believe in them, give them even just a glimmer of hope. And then I came upon the first article I wrote about them, entitled "How I Came To Love the Aces". I was reminded of the first time I watched them live and how I slowly fell for them. Seeing the words "unselfish plays", "we not me", "teamwork" and "almost perfect defense" coming from me, it hit me. THAT is the Alaska that I love and believe in. Somewhere deep inside those missed shots, careless passes that resulted to turnovers, is one of the best (if not the best) defensive teams in the league. This is the team that would cut down a 20+ deficit in a matter of a few minutes without being rattled or panicked. They would execute plays perfectly and their solid defense would make the opposing team commit tons of turnovers. I still see that when they play these days, but I believe that what they lack is consistency. And also add to that the confidence, "yung kumpyansa sa sarili". I believe they can dig deeper within themselves and still win a game (or four) in the next coming days. 

To my fellow Aces fans who are looking for something to believe in in this 0-3 hole we are in, I hope this gives you a glimmer of hope. It did on me. :) Instead of criticizing them repeatedly, all we can really do is support them. Sila nga lalaban pa eh, tayo pa kaya! Our support is what the team needs most at this point in time. Hey Alaska Aces, no matter what happens, I got your back! Don't give up! One game at a time. It isn't easy, it never was, but I know you can do it when the will and drive is there! I will still cheer for you, with all my heart. :) GO ALASKA! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! :)