Jackson, a reserve in the Philippine team in the recent Busan Asian Games, flubbed a three-point attempt at the buzzer, allowing Alaska to escape with a 69-67 decision over Shell in the Selecta PBA All-Filipino Cup at the Philsports Arena last night.
"It was a Korean (-Philippine) situation all over again. We had three fouls to give and a timeout to call. We had fouls which the guys just didn’t want to give. We’re fortunate Chris Jackson missed the shot," said Alaska coach Tim Cone, alluding to the harrowing loss of the Philippine team at the hands of Lee in the Asiad semifinals.
Just like the RP team, Alaska had appeared to have a won game in the closing seconds with a two-point lead plus ball possession.
But EJ Feihl was forced to take a harried shot on a scrambling Shell defense at the paint with 10 ticks left in the clock. Then the potential Lee Sang Min play presented itself to Jackson with Mike Hrabak pulling down the rebound then Rob Wainwright kicking the ball to the RP team reserve with two seconds to go.
But Jackson proved to be no Lee.
His attempt rimmed out and the Aces went on to claim the victory – curiously their 23rd this season, already matching their total number of wins the whole campaign last year.
The Aces, fourth placers in this tourney last year, pulled it off although Asian Gamer Kenneth Duremdes sat out the game, Cone said: "I know the Asian Games is draining so I give him a week off. We’re looking forward to his return Sunday (against Red Bull)."
Shell coach Perry Ronquillo called Jackson to return to active duty right away and the hardworking forward responded by hacking out a double-double performance with 11 points and 10 rebounds as he played without relief.
Meanwhile, American coach Paul Woolpert last night said he hopes to obtain the necessary papers so he could start coaching Talk N Text.
It’s still uncertain whether Woolpert can call the shots for Talk N Text starting tomorrow against Sta. Lucia with the Basketball Coaches Association of the Philippines filing a motion for the Department of Labor and Employment contesting the appointment of the CBA All-Star mentor. Talk N Text lawyers have made an appeal on behalf of Woolpert but DOLE has yet to make resolution.
"I understand their (BCAP’s) position but I’m just here to do the job," said Woolpert, who with Talk N Text assistant coaches Ariel Vanguardia and Eric del Rosario, watched the Alaska-Shell game at the gallery.
If ever he’s cleared, Woolpert said he’ll build on what the team achieved in the Commissioner’s Cup – runner-up finish behind Red Bull.
Attending a Talk N Text’s workout conducted by Vanguardia and Del Rosario, Woolpert said he was impressed by the team’s makeup – a competent coaching staff and players with great attitude – a combination that could well produce good results for the team.
"I just hope I can help them as much as they help me," he said.
Commissioner’s Cup titlist Red Bull, gaining one big break on a bench technical foul called on Coca-Cola in the third quarter, rallied from a 13-point deficit en route to a 76-60 win in the second game.