Cariaso, Aces look to end skid
Coach Jeff Cariaso hopes what he terms as ‘growing pains’ for Alaska comes to an end by Friday when the Aces parade a new import in the PBA Governors Cup opposite Meralco.
The Aces unveil former Ball State alum Franko House against the Bolts in their 4:30 p.m. game at the Mall of Asia Arena, looking to end a slow start that saw the team losing its first three assignments.
Cariaso considers the skid as part of the growing pains the Aces are going through under his new system after taking on the coaching job just before the start of the season-ending conference.
“We’re frustrated that we’re 0-3, but I think the one thing that we need to make sure to get out of this is we understand our identity here at Alaska.
We understand how I’d want them to play,” said Cariaso following the team’s latest loss, an 83-109 drubbing at the hands of the San Miguel Beermen.
“So during the process, may mga growing pains and we’re going through the growing pains right now.”
But the Aces have a lot of optimism going to the game against the 1-1 Bolts as the 25-year-old House comes on board to replace the injured Justin Watts (strained calf).
House, who was once signed by the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent in the NFL only to be waived later on, easily passed the 6’5” height limit after being officially measured at 6’4 1/2 at the PBA office on Thursday.
In the main game at 6:45 p.m, Rain or Shine looks to right things with new import Kayel Locke.
Off to a struggling 1-2 start with Wright, the Elasto Painters introduce Locke as they tangle with the Magnolia Hotshots.
Meanwhile, San Miguel Beer and NLEX aim to stay on their course while giving PBA fans a real treat when they collide in the first of two Governors’ Cup offerings at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai. The match is set 8 p.m. (12 a.m. Phl time). —