Llamados, Aces in key tiff today

Alaska Aces and its long-time head coach Tim Cone have decided to part ways after 22 glorious PBA seasons.

B-MEG and Alaska, powerhouses with rich PBA Commissioner’s Cup traditions, battle it out today with the winner putting a foot in the playoffs of the import-spiced tournament at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay.

Both squads are coming off rousing victories, with the Llamados hoping to take the momentum of a win over Barangay Ginebra into their 5:15 p.m. contest.

The Aces, on the other hand, pipped Petron Blaze, 93-88, just two nights ago after displaying some hard-nosed, playoff-type basketball that announced their readiness to take their act deep into this tournament.

Both have four victories each and a win by either squad tonight would assure them of a spot in the next round, something which Talk ‘N Text already achieved Wednesday night after a 111-97 ripping of Powerade.

“We played a playoff-type game against Petron and that’s what we need to do (the rest of the way),” Alaska coach Joel Banal said.

Banal showed the Aces’ depth Wednesday by playing a three-tower combination made up of import Adam Parada, Sonny Thoss and either Jay-R Reyes or Sam Eman to play alongside any two from among guards Cyrus Baguio, LA Tenorio and Bon-Bon Custodio.

Any of Banal’s combos played with speed and height, something which baffled the Boosters in the fourth period.

Meanwhile, Air21 shoots for a third straight win earlier when the Express, who are within two victories of an unexpected playoff slot, slug it out with also-ran Rain or Shine at 7:30 p.m.

After losing all their 14 games in the Philippine Cup, Air21 is making heads turn after signing Marcus Douthit and getting the locals to play unselfish basketball.