Alaska coach Tim Cone is hopeful that import Rosell Ellis will be available for the season-ending PBA Fiesta Cup.

The Aces, according to Cone, is still waiting for Ellis’ decision and admits that they still have no other options, less than two weeks before the start of the import-flavored conference on Feb. 28.

The 6-foot-5 Ellis, a former McNeese State stalwart, won the 2007 PBA Best Import award and helped the Aces to the Fiesta Cup championship that same season against Talk ’N Text in a seven-game thriller.

Ellis is currently under contract with the Townsville Crocodiles in the Australian-National Basketball League (NBL).

Ellis, who will turn 34 on Thursday (Feb. 19), averages 14.1 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 2.8 steals per game with the Crocodiles. Last season, he played only two games after he injured his pectoral muscle.

He was consequently forced to undergo season ending surgery.

During his stint with Alaska, Ellis averaged 22.8 points, 12.3, 5.2 assists and 1.5 steals per game.

The Aces are aching to rebound from a heartbreaking defeat to Talk ‘N Text during the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup.

The loss denied the Wilfred Uytengsu-owned franchise its 13th overall league championship and Cone his 602nd victory.


http://www.mb.com.ph/SPRT20090216148229.html