Miller wants out of Alaska

WILLIE Miller doesn’t want to play for Alaska anymore. But before he could get his wish, the Aces must first acquire a corresponding player or set of players they want.

Danny Espiritu, Miller’s agent, yesterday confirmed that his two-time MVP has revealed to Alaska his intentions of bolting from the ball club, which he helped win a championship and play for a fourth franchise finals since entering the PBA in 2001.

Espiritu said that Miller is ‘no longer happy’ with the Aces, whom the former Letran star guided to the 2006-07 Fiesta Conference championship over his former team Talk ‘N Text.

“He’s not happy anymore with Alaska. Worse, napagbibintangan pa siya ng mga ibang tao kapag masama ang laro niya. He’s a two-time MVP and brought championships to his teams,” said Espiritu.

Espiritu and Miller had already talked with Alaska’s board representative and current PBA chairman Joaqui Trillo about Miller’s release. But Trillo said, according to Espiritu, that Alaska will first have to find a suitable replacement for their franchise player.

Coach Tim Cone said in a text message yesterday that Alaska will not part with Miller. “Not on the block, not traded. Teams are calling us but we’re not biting. We are not certainly shipping him.”

Purefoods and Coca-Cola reportedly are the teams interested in Miller, the first guard to win the MVP twice.

The 2008-09 season has been an unmemorable one for the Aces. Voted as the Best Player of the Conference in the Philippine Cup, Miller failed to steer Alaska to the championship, wasting a 2-0 series lead and losing to the Tropang Texters in seven games.

Then, Alaska couldn’t find the right import in the Fiesta Conference. It ended up at ninth spot, just a shade above Barako Bull and failed to make the playoffs.

Meantime, Miller will have to concentrate on being part of the Powerade-Team Pilipinas that will see action in the William Jones Cup that begins on Saturday in Taipei. His role in that ball club will be crucial since two guards -- Ryan Reyes and Jay-Jay Helterbrand -- won’t be seeing action because of respective injuries.