Aces say: If you turn left, you’re right

The Alaska Aces are turning things right with their lefties.

Drawing strength from a combination of southpaws, Alaska Milk smashed Sta. Lucia Realty, 103-88, last night to gain a share of the lead with Barangay Ginebra and Red Bull in the Talk n Text PBA Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum.

Coach Tim Cone’s decision to field in all five of his left-handed players – import Rosell Ellis, Willie Miller, Eddie Laure, Reynel Hugnatan and John Ferriols – at the same time in two separate stretches worked wonders as the Aces cruised to their seventh victory in nine outings for a piece of the lead.

Ellis and Miller, the 2002 Most Valuable Player, fired 21 points apiece while Laure, Hugnatan and Ferriols tossed in 14, nine and five points, respec-tively, in a superb combination that impressed Cone.

"We just have a lot of lefties who are all playing well right now," said Cone.

The triumph clinched for Cone the honor of coaching the South team in the PBA All Stars slated April 25-29 in Baguio and La Union.

Kings coach Jong Uichico will handle the North squad.

"It’s a tribute to the team when you are selected to coach in the All Stars, so this is a team honor," said Cone, who is appearing on his fifth All Star Game as a coach with the last coming eight years ago.

Rookie Fil-Am Kelly Williams came through with a 28-point effort but failed to draw support from his teammates, particularly import Rock Winston, who keyed the Realtors’ 103-100 win over the Coca-Cola Tigers last week. He had 17 points, 13 rebounds, six assists and a steal but lacked the spunk that his team needed.

In the nightcap, San Miguel survived Welcoat Paints’ new import Rob Sanders’ heroics as it eked out a 96-90 victory to notch its second win in nine matches.

It was the Dragons’ sixth defeat against three triumphs.