JEFF Cariaso's homecoming with Alaska is complete.
Alaska management on Wednesday said the former Barangay Ginebra San Miguel head coach will be joining head coach Alex Compton and assistants Louie Alas, Topex Robinson and Franco Atienza in the Aces coaching staff.
“The Jet comes home,” said Alaska management in an official media statement.
Cariaso, who was initially appointed as basketball director of the Alaska Power Camp, said he is excited to return to the team where he won seven championships as a player in the mid-90’s.
“I am ecstatic to be back at Alaska,” said Cariaso. “I am truly grateful for this chance to come home to the company that helped develop my basketball career. I am glad to be back.”
[See Cariaso admits buyout of Ginebra contract paved way for move to Alaska]
Compton called Cariaso a 'great teacher,' saying the former high scoring guard whowas picked sixth overall by Alaska in the 1996 rookie draft can help develop the careers of the team's guards.
“I am excited to welcome Jeffrey Cariaso to the Alaska Aces. He has been a winner at every level, is a man of integrity, and great teacher of the game,” said Compton.
Asked if Cariaso, who is a student of longtime coach Tim Cone’s triangle offense, will fit Alaska’s new run and gun and hybrid offense, Compton sounded optimistic.
“I believe he will fit right in with our coaches and bring great value. Plus having played so many years in an Alaska uniform, it really feels like we are welcoming him home,” he said.
Cariaso is set to join Compton on the Aces’ bench when the Philippine Cup runner-up team debuts in the midseason conference versus the Purefoods Star Hotshots on February 3 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
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