Aces bond in US as championship bonus

SANTA MONICA, California – Over a month after bagging the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, the Alaska Milk Aces gathered in this seaside paradise toasting their title conquest and, at the same time, holding activities that could further boost their competitive edge in the pro league at home.

Team owner Wilfred Steven Uytengsu and wife Kerrie actively participated in almost all team activities, the most heart-warming of their day in the famous Santa Monica beach Friday where the big boss gutted it out with the players in various beach games while the lady boss mingled with the players' wives and kids in a wonderful sight underscoring that the Alaska team is like one big, happy family.

“Togetherness in this team has only gotten stronger. That’s the way the Alaska system runs. The team gets stronger that way,” said Alaska coach Luigi Trillo.

“The child in him (Uytengsu) comes out in gathering like this. But when the tourney comes, it’s back to serious work for all of us,” Trillo also said.

“Mr. Wilfred really wants us to be like a real family, and the players and our respective families are happy with that,” said Alaska chief playmaker Jayvee Casio.

“Activities like this enhance the team bonding. It definitely helps us in the game,” Casio added.

The team management including Joaqui Trillo and Dickie Bachmann, the coaching staff and all the players including the reserves, with their families, are all here – a bunch of over a hundred trooping together in places like the Universal Studios and Disneyland.

Another big highlight of their US trip was an emotional championship ring ceremony Sunday night attended by Commissioner’s Cup Best Import Rob Dozier, longtime Alaska import Sean Chambers, their incoming reinforcement Wendell McKines and their families.

Alaska team owner Wilfred Uytengsu and his players on the beach after playing American football. 

But it’s not all recreation for the players.

Sonny Thoss, Calvin Abueva and Gabby Espinas went through alternative treatment of their health problems in Beijing before showing up here.

Abueva and Espinas later joined the team’s second and third stringers in power training in the famed Joe Abunassar camp in Las Vegas.

They were pitted with a Russian club team in a scrimmage thrice, losing the first before winning the last two. “We’re not yet in shape during the first game. We got back at them twice when we’re already in form,” said Abueva.

It’s a serious workout with rookie Raffy Reyes sustaining a busted nose.

The Aces got to see NBA players Chris Paul, Serge Ibaka and Blake Griffin also working out in the camp. Also training there was former Ateneo Blue Eaglet Ael Banal, now with the Victory University in Memphis, who intends to join the coming 2013 PBA Rookie Draft.

Flying back to Manila Tuesday, the Aces start their regular practice in preparation for the third conference Thursday.

Alaska, the PBA’s second winningest team next to league pioneer member San Miguel Beer, goes for back-to-back crowns and 15th overall in the season-ending Governors Cup starting right after the FIBA Asia Championship on Aug. 14.