By Reuel Vidal

THE Alaska Aces, with the swagger back in their game because of the arrival of import Rosell Ellis, take on the skidding Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings in the 7:30 p.m. main game of the Motolite-Philippine Basketball Association Fiesta Cup at the Araneta Coliseum today.

The Burger King Titans battle the dangerous Coca-Cola Tigers in the 5 p.m. opening match.

The Aces, with the energetic Ellis leading the charge with 26 points, 13 rebounds and five assists, bounced back from three straight losses with an emphatic 94-84 victory over the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants last Sunday.

“We are a little more of a get-out-on-the-floor-and-run team now,” said Ellis. “Before I came, we were a little more half-court team. So hopefully, we can get a little more effort and run from now on now that I am here.”

Expected to provide plenty of support for Ellis are locals Willie Miller, Sonny Thoss, LA Tenorio, Joe Devance and Rey Hugnatan. But the Aces will miss Tony de la Cruz and Jeff Cariaso, who are both out with sprained MCL and Brandon Cablay, with a hurting calf muscle.

Their poor record notwithstanding, Alaska coach Tim Cone expressed optimism and said that his team is now on the right track.

“I think this puts us back in the picture,” said Cone. “I know we have lagged behind a little bit. I know people are going to look at Rosell and how he helps us. I think that his return has really put us back in the picture, or in the thick of the competition for this conference.”

Ginebra import Rod Nealy will lead locals Jayjay Helterbrand, Billy Mamaril, Chris Pacana and Chico Lanete.

Ginebra (1-3) and Alaska (1-3) are tied at seventh to ninth places with Coca-Cola (1-3). The rest of the teams are the San Miguel Beermen (4-0), the Sta. Lucia Realtors (3-1), the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (3-1), Purefoods (2-2), Burger King (3-2), the Talk N Text Tropang Texters (2-2) and the Barako Bull Energy Boosters (1-4).

The Titans, getting a big boost from the high-scoring pair of Arwind Santos and Gary David, trounced the Energy Boosters, last Wednesday and are expected to prevail over the Tigers.

Santos and David will get plenty of help from import Shawn Daniels and locals Homer Se, JR Quiñahan, Wynne Arboleda and Marvin Cruz.