By Reuel Vidal

WHAT an enviable position the Alaska Aces are in. While waiting for Rosell Ellis to arrive, the Aces have to settle for Galen Young, who is here for a one-month contract.

Ellis competed in the National Basketball League in Australia for the Townsville Crocodiles, who reached the semifinals of the said league. The Alaska Aces have brought in former San Miguel Beerman Young as substitute import in the Philippine Basketball Association Fiesta Cup.

Young will suit up against his former team San Miguel Beer when the Aces face the Beermen, 4:50 p.m. on Wednesday, at the Antipolo Ynares Center.

?I am especially motivated just to come out here in the Philippines and play for Alaska again. I have no ill feelings for San Miguel. They treated me well when I played for them. I just want to play well and will give my best on Wednesday,? said Young.

He led the Beermen to the semifinals of the 2007 Fiesta Cup, where they lost to eventual champion Alaska. Young first played in the Philippines in the 2004 PBA Fiesta Conference as import of the Aces. He was actually the first choice of Alaska coach Tim Cone in 2007. But he was not available at the start of the season so the Aces settled for Ellis instead.

When Young finally became available to play in the PBA, he flew in to join San Miguel Beer, which he led to the semifinals where they eventually lost to Ellis and the Aces. The Aces signed Young to a one-month contract as a substitute import until Ellis arrives.

?It?s a unique situation for me,? said Young. ?Coach Tim is a friend of mine and he called. He asked me what I was doing and if I would like to come out here and play because Rosell was still in Australia. I came out here to play and see what happens.?

The 33-year-old Young (who was born Oct. 16, 1975) said he was glad to be back in the country and happy to play with familiar faces in the Alaska team.

?I am glad to be back to play for coach Tim again,? said Young. ?I am glad to be playing alongside Sonny Thoss and Brandon Cablay. Those were two of my original teammates the first time I was here. So it is good to be back here and run the triangle offense again.?

The veteran import revealed that he is not looking too far ahead and will just focus on playing his best.

?You know, it is just business,? said Young. ?Everything is business. If they want me to stay, then, of course, I will stay. But right now I am here for one month. And I am here to do my job well. So that is what I?m thinking about.

Young should be an easy fit with the Aces because he is familiar with many of the players in the team.

?I know Jeff Cariaso really well,? said Young. ?Me and LA [Tenorio] played together in San Miguel. I know Rey [Hugnatan]. I know these guys? style of play really well. So it shouldn?t be hard to adjust and play together. So it should be a good time for us playing together.?

According to PBA statistical guru Fidel Mangonon, Young had four triple-doubles while playing for Alaska in 2004, which is the most by any player in a conference in the last 12 years. He is the last player to have triple-doubles in back-to-sback games. He also had a triple-double with San Miguel in the 2007 Fiesta Conference. His five total triple-doubles is the most by any player in last 12 years of the PBA.

Shell?s Dennis Williams also had four triple-doubles during the 1997 Governors Cup.

As second choices go, Young is as good as it gets.

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