So that’s the RP team to Busan

Alaska Milk dished out its A-game and dealt RP Selecta another heart-rending defeat, 84-59, to practically complete the cast of the Samsung PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals at the Araneta Coliseum last night.

The Aces totally outclassed the Nationals, sending the Asian Games-bound team on the brink of elimination in the mid-season tourney and casting more doubts on their ability to do good in the Busan joust.

As things stand now, RP Selecta is likely to join Purefoods and Barangay Ginebra in the sidelines, leaving Red Bull, San Miguel Beer, Alaska, Sta. Lucia, Coca-Cola, FedEx, Shell and Talk N Text to contest the second conference crown.

The Aces formalized their entry in the quarters and boosted their bid for twice-to-beat privilege in the next round on their sixth win against three losses. The Nationals’ loss gave the Coca-Cola Tigers a free ride into the quarters. Alaska dealt RP Selecta its worst defeat thus far but coach Tim Cone came out to defend the Nationals from criticism after the game, saying the team is not bad as it looks.

"I don’t think it is fair to judge them by this game. I feel for coach Jong (Uichico). I know how difficult it is for them to win in this setting," said Cone, who called the shots for the 1998 Centennial RP team which placed third in the Bangkok Asiad.

"Honestly, I think they’re a lot better than we were in terms of discipline, skills and ability. But it’s really difficult to win in this setting, I mean the PBA thing, while your concentration is focused on another thing (Asian Games)," he added.

Echoing the sentiments of RP team coach Jong Uichico, Cone said the Nationals would be better off if they’re allowed to be on their own.

"They (the PBA) sacrifice so much, why not go all the way?" asked the former national mentor, suggesting it’s better to let the RP team out of the PBA and instead allow it to play in international tournaments abroad for the much-needed exposure and experience.

Sta. Lucia again forced a three-way tie at second place with San Miguel Beer and Alaska as the Realtors struggled past the Shell Turbochargers, 73-66, in the nightcap.

"We struggled the entire night, having a hard time getting the right combination. But we got a big lift from the bench especially Paolo Mendoza who did the job opening up the game," said Sta. Lucia coach Norman Black.

With the Nationals suffering a sixth loss in nine outings, Cone pointed out they’re much better than the Centennial Teamers, recalling they only won a single game in their own stint in a PBA tournament in 1998.

Ajani Williams came up with a double-double performance with 24 points and 12 rebounds while four other Aces piled up double-digit outputs, leading the Alaska juggernaut against the hapless Nationals.