By Reuel Vidal

THE Motolite-Philippine Basketball Association Fiesta Conference starts 5 p.m. on Feb. 28 in Dumaguete City, where the Burger King Titans of new coach Yeng Guiao meet the Sta. Lucia Realtors.

The Titans return chunky import Shawn Daniels to anchor their bid. Daniels is a good complement for the Titans’ long, athletic wings led by Arwind Santos and Gary David.

The Titans, then the Air21 Express, almost won their first PBA title in this very same conference last year with another low post presence in Steven Thomas providing the anchor and inside presence.

The Realtors, on the other hand, will bring in new hand in 6’6” AJ Jackson of the Robert Morris University Colonials who was the second leading scorer and rebounder during the 2006-2007 National Collegiate Athletic Association season.

I correctly predicted that the top four teams in the past Philippine Cup would be the Alaska Aces, the Talk N Text Tropang Texters, the San Miguel Beermen and the Sta. Lucia Realtors. I also correctly predicted that the Aces will meet the Tropang Texters in the Finals.

Making a fearless forecast in the Fiesta Conference is a trickier proposition because the quality of the play of the imports carries so much weight. And these imports can be so unpredictable.

But since I am always eager to risk embarrassing myself. I am again making my regular fearless forecast.

Alaska and TNT should logically advance to the semifinals whether outright or through the wildcard and quarterfinals. I pick Burger King and then either the San Miguel Beermen or the Coca-Cola Tigers to make the Top Four.

So there.

* * *

After narrowly losing the All-Filipino Conference finals, the most motivated team out there right now are the Alaska Aces.

LA Tenorio, their starting point guard, described this as “very disappointing talaga iyong nangyari sa amin kasi we were up by 2-0, 3-2. Ang hirap parang lahat ng chances nandoon na parang Game 7 up to the last minute.”

The heartbreaking loss of a championship that was so near and yet so far was definitely a learning experience especially for the core team.

“Iyong core ng starting five first time na nakapasok ng finals. Lahat ng hindi namin nagawa noong series siguro next time kailangan naming tingnan lang iyong naging learning experience,” Tenorio said.

This learning experience is very constructive for Tenorio. He was playing in the first five for the first time in the finals. Playing 30 to 40 minutes each game put him under undue pressure that he had to learn to carry. He has resolved to use the bitter lesson as a learning experience. “Next time na makarating ako doon hindi na mangyayari iyon. Iyon ang naiisip ko siguro na pagkakamali ko is iyong pagiging inconsistent ko in that series.”

Tenorio says the whole team was resolutely motivated. “Iyong nasa isip naming lahat na after this championship was magiging gutom; so, next time na dumating kami sa ganoong situation, alam na namin ang gagawin namin kasi gutom kami.”

Tenorio said coach Tim Cone recalled that in 1995, Alaska lost two straight championship battles to Sunkist, for the 1995 All-Filipino and the Commissioner’s Cup, before going on to win the grand slam in 1996.

“After a heartbreaking loss talagang babangon. Katulad nga ng experience ni coach Tim after noong natalo sila ng championship and then after the championship iyong players talagang gutom na gutom and they won the grand slam,” Tenorio said.

If the Aces can return Rosell Ellis by March, I think they should be the team to beat this conference.

* * *

If you want to find out how I sound like, please tune in to the KBP Best Sports Program on the radio, MBC Sports Center, 6:30 to 7 p.m., every Sunday, over the no. 1 radio station in the country dzRH, 666 on your AM dial. Our guest next week on March 1 is “GI Joe” Devance of the Alaska Aces. And for comments, questions and non-violent reactions, please send your e-mail to reuelvidal@yahoo.com or reuelvidal@gmail.com.