On the eve of a possible B-MEG
championship, an Alaska fan shares his deep, deep pain.
By Polo Bustamante (@polo_bustamante)
I want Talk N’
Text to win. Because I dislike the Purefoods Tender Juicy Hotdogs.
I refuse to call
them B-MEG to preserve my original aversion. I enjoyed the beating that 8th
seed Powerade handed them last conference. I hope Talk N’ Text gets their act
straight so that they can beat Purefoods.
I want Talk ‘N
Text to win. Because of my history as an Alaska Fan.
I remember how Purefoods
import Kenny Redfield destroyed Jolas and the Milkmen in the 1994 Commissioner’s
Cup. I rememer how Alaska battled a tough Hotdog team led by Cap, Jerry
Codinera and Dindo Pumaren in the 1996 All-Filipino Cup.
It goes that
far.
Yet my most
painful memories are the most recent ones.
I was confident
that the Aces would win the 2002 Governor’s Cup. How could they lose? They led
2-0 and won Game 6. Momentum was on their side right? Wrong. The Hotdogs
drubbed the Aces. They cruised to a 20-point win. Derrick “The Flight” Brown
dunked all over my team.
Of course, who
could forget the 2010 All-Filipino Cup? In Game 2 of the Finals, referee Maui
Maurillo called a foul on JDV and practically handed the Hotdogs the win and
the championship. Okay, some Aces were also to blame for that one. But it still
sucks balls to lose to Purefoods. It stings even more to have been swept by
them.
But the question
begs to be answered.
Why do I still abhor the Hotdogs?
I want Purefoods
to lose because they’re coached by Earl Timothy Cone. I hope Tim sweats it out
before winning another championship. Especially after what he did to the Alaska
Franchise.
And here’s where
I get emotional.
It hurt that
Cone left. Real deep. It really felt like he gave up on the team. I’m sure he
had his reasons. I’m in no position to question his motives. But when he left,
he dealt the death sentence to the franchise. The Aces are now in limbo.
The worst part;
Tim brought his necktie to one of Alaska’s bitter rivals. Hell, I would have
felt better if he ended up coaching La Salle (and I’m from Ateneo).
I want Tim to
look back and realize that the greatest heights of his career happened with
Alaska. It would kill me to watch James Yap and Marc Pingris shower Coach Tim
with Gatorade. I don’t know if the collision with referee Art Herrera was
Murphy’s Law in action. I just decided to take it as an omen.
Tim Cone WAS
Alaska. He was the face of the Aces. He was the one constant in a league full
of changes. He coached my all-time favorite player, Jojo Lastimosa. He coached
my favorite Blue Eagle LA Tenorio. He introduced the Triangle Offense. He
started a winning tradition. He made me cheer for my favorite coach.
And then, he
left.
I want Talk ‘N
Text to win. Because I want Tim Cone back.
Damned Hotdogs.
Damned heartbreak.
PB