PLUGGING the holes in the team’s game is the biggest factor why Alaska recently made two key decisions.
According to coach Jeff Cariaso, tapping Olu Ashaolu as import and trading for Mike Tolomia should help solve a couple of big concerns for the Aces going to their campaign in the PBA season-ending Governors Cup next month.
“We really looked at our options and we felt those two would help us a lot,” Cariaso told Malaya-Business Insight.
The coming stint would be Ashaolu’s third after previously seeing action for NLEX in the 2018 and ’19 editions of the same import-laced conference.
After the Road Warriors gave up their rights to the Nigerian-Canadian, the Aces wasted no time in signing him up.
“Naglaro na siya dito and ‘yun ‘yung very important sa amin, na may experience na siya of playing here in the PBA,” Cariaso said. “I think malaking factor iyon because, again, familiar na siya with Philippine basketball so ‘yung adjustment niya medyo minor.”
The 35-year-old, 220-pound Ashaolu has PBA career averages of 24.9 points and 13.9 rebounds anchored on a formidable inside game, which is precisely what Cariaso was looking for.
“‘Yung skills niya… perfect para sa import na hinahanap namin. Very strong inside. Obvious naman na laro niya more on power forward-center so big ang role niya and du’n namin siya nagustuhan,” said Cariaso.
“Puwede naman kaming kumuha ng medyo wing or medyo guard ang position, pero we felt na marami na kami sa ganoong position. So ‘yung kulang sa amin talaga is a big presence kaya namin siya nagustuhan.”
Ashaolu has had six practice sessions with his new team as of yesterday and Cariaso likes what he has seen so far.
“I think no question, no doubt, sa decision namin,” said Cariaso. “We all feel it’s the right one, based on what we’ve seen from Olu.”
Like Ashaolu, Mike Tolomia would also be under the microscope for Alaska as the former
Far Eastern star was acquired from Blackwater last month in exchange for Jayvee Casio, a fixture at the point for the Aces since 2012.
While admitting letting go of Casio was a hard decision to make, it simply had to be done, according to Cariaso.
“Actually, more of a combo guard si Mike. Sanay din siyang magdala ng bola as a 1 (point guard). Skilled siya, parang (shooting guard) and can attack the basket. Iyun ang nagustuhan namin sa kanya, his ability to drive and to penetrate. Pass to the shooter sa labas. Iyun ang feeling namin kulang sa amin,” expounded Cariaso.
