Diamon Simpson did not just reunite with Alaska on Sunday night, now that he’s back for another tour of duty in the PBA. He also got to meet some of the people with whom he shared the glory, years ago in Asia’s pioneering pro league.
With the Aces battling the Barangay Ginebra in Commissioner’s Cup action, the 6-foot-4 reinforcement met his former coach in the decorated Tim Cone, as well as former teammates in LA Tenorio and Joe Devance.
Simpson, Cone, Tenorio, and Devance were all part of the Alaska crew who lorded over the 2010 Fiesta Conference, where they finished the San Miguel Beermen – who paraded Best Import Gabe Freeman – in six games.
“Coach Tim’s a good dude. One of my favorite coaches. Got history with him, so it’s good,” said Simpson, who was around 23 years young that time. “LA, Joe, still good guys, good teammates.
“I wish them all the best. We’re friends.”
Still, they all set the feel-good factor aside once the ball got rolling.
Simpson, of course, wanted to succeed in his first game back since last season’s edition of the mid-season joust, where he and Alaska bowed out in the semifinals.
And he was business as usual. Simpson produced 22 points, 22 rebounds, four assists, two steals, and a block in over 40 minutes of playing time.
Unfortunately, his efforts were in vain. No thanks to Ginebra’s locals providing much support for do-it-all import Justin Brownlee, the Milkmen bowed down, 106-118, to suffer their fifth loss in nine outings this conference.
Simpson isn’t dwelling on the loss, however, as he’s now keen on bouncing back next game versus Denzel Bowles and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters on Saturday, July 6, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
“It was challenging against a good team. A lot of chemistry, they have. Just gotta find our chemistry and come back stronger next week,” he said.
“We just gotta take advantage of everything – watch film, do every best that we can.”
