Final game beckons for Alaska's stay in PBA
MANILA – Up until Saturday night, Alaska coach Jeffrey Cariaso didn't want to think his team was about to play its final game in the Philippine Basketball 스보벳 Association (PBA).After all, the team got a chance to extend its season after beating NLEX, 93-79, on Wednesday that canceled the latter's twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals of the Governors' Cup.
With a chance to steal a semifinal spot away from the Road Warriors, it was understandable for Cariaso to think that way for his Aces.
But no thanks to a poor showing in the second quarter where the team only scored 11 points, Alaska was blown out by NLEX, 80-96, in the rubber match at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, ultimately drawing the former's 35-"I honestly did not want to think that this was a possibility, but it is here. We all knew since Feb.
16 that this day will come eventually, and it's here now," Cariaso said in what would be his final interview with the sports media as the Aces' head coach.Although Alaska's PBA story, highlighted by 14 championships including the season treble in 1996, also known as a "grand slam", did not have a fairy tale ending, Cariaso, the hero of the team's 1996 Philippine Cup title conquest that kicked off its grand slam bid, believes the team will bow out as victors.
"A lot of good people have come through this organization. It was stemming from the leadership of Boss Fred [Uytengsu] and the coaches that were here. They continued that culture from the management to Boss Dickie [Bachmann] and CK [Daniolco]... and just the organization and the company as a whole. Just the values that they carried themselves with. We tried to teach that and make sure that we live by those standards, and I'm proud to say that we did. That in itself, I think, we're proud to say that we're winners," Cariaso further said.
"That's why Alaska is special and always gonna be a part of me."
After the game, 피나클 Commissioner Willie Marcial paid tribute to the Aces by holding a final buzzer ceremony, traditionally done to remember a PBA legend who passed away.When Marcial pressed the ceremonial buzzer, confetti was all throughout the arena as if Alaska won a championship, a fitting tribute to the team's legacy.'Deep talks' ongoing with potential new ownerRegarding the future of the club, Cariaso revealed that Alaska is making progress in its PBA franchise sale.
"I know there are deep talks with a certain company," Cariaso said.
He did not reveal the company Alaska is talking to, but the current frontrunners for the takeover are Universal Canning Corporation and Converge.Universal Canning has a team playing in the PBA 3x3 as Master Sardines and has also bankrolled two franchises in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.Converge, on the other hand, was the primary sponsor of the Pampanga Delta during the 2020 National Basketball League season.Cariaso hopes that the new team owner will keep at least the core of the Aces' 2021 roster led by Jeron Teng, Abu Tratter, and rookie spark plug RK Ilagan."I hope they see the team that we're starting here," he further said. Alaska has until next month to complete the sale in hopes of keeping the roster intact.
LeBron Scores 38 in Ohio Return, Lakers Crush Cavs 131-120
By TOM WITHERS, AP Sports WriterCLEVELAND (AP) — LeBron James scored 38 points, notched another triple-double and sparked memories of his time in Cleveland, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a 131-120 win Monday over the Cavaliers, who had a horrid defensive night.It was James' only visit home this season — other than the All-Star Game last month — and the star from nearby Akron thrilled fans who warmly welcomed him back. James played 11 seasons in two stints with the Cavs, trying to get back to the playoffs for the first time since he left in 2018.
James added 10 rebounds and 12 assists for his 105th career triple-double and sixth this season. He's trying to keep the Lakers in the postseason picture in what to this point has been a disappointing season.
Russell Westbrook and D.J. Augustin added 20 points apiece for the Lakers, who came in tied for ninth in the Western Conference.Darius Garland scored 29 and added 17 assists for Cleveland, which came in leading Toronto by one game for the No. 6 spot in the East. The Cavs will play the Raptors on Thursday night.James scored five points as the Lakers opened the fourth quarter with a 12-2 run to go up by nine. Cleveland was still within striking distance when James, as he has done so many times to so many teams before, put the Cavs away with a dunk and jumper in the final 2:34.After his postgame TV interview, James left slapping hands with fans on his way to the locker room.
James improved to 17-1 in games against the Cavs. He has averaged 29.6 points against Cleveland — his most against any opponent.
The four-time MVP and champion was cheered from the moment he ran onto the floor for warmups. He received a huge ovation during player introductions and again in a first-quarter timeout when the Cavs saluted him for becoming the No. 2 scorer in league history.James waved, patted his heart, put his hands together as if in prayer and bowed toward the Cleveland fans, which witnessed some familiar sights — his pregame chalk toss, signature fadeaways and one of those towering dunks only he can deliver.James came home second on the scoring list after passing Karl Malone on Saturday night in Washington with a 38-point performance. There had been speculation he would sit out against the Wizards to rest his sore left knee, so he could move behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in his latest homecoming.But despite the Lakers' struggles, James remains dedicated and committed — even at the age of 37.Coach Frank Vogel finds that inspiring. “He legit wants to be out there every night,” Vogel said. “For him to be that way in his 19th year is something this league needs.”
TIP-INS
Lakers: Stanley Johnson scored all of his points in the fourth. ... Anthony Davis, out since Feb. 16 with a foot sprain, got in an extended pregame workout on the floor. It's still unclear when — or if — he'll back back this season. ... G Talen Horton-Tucker (left ankle sprain) sat out for the second time in three games. He went 0 of 5 in 17 scoreless in minutes at Washington.Cavaliers: All-Star center Jarrett Allen (broken finger) missed his eighth straight game. Allen is second in the NBA with a .677 field goal percentage and has enough makes to qualify for the season-ending leaders … G Rajon Rondo (sprained ankle) and F Dean Wade (knee soreness) were inactive for their fifth games in a row.
