Tim Cone readily compares his team of the present pretty much with the one he piloted to a rare grand slam in 1996.

Apparently, his impression of Willie Miller and co. provides a certain degree of promise that translates to something like an all-Filipino championship for Alaska by the end of the conference.

Some quarters may dismiss Cone’s bold prediction as wishful thinking with the season just three weeks old.

On second thought, it’s hard not to pay attention to Cone’s announcement. The signs are encouraging.

Four games into the conference, the Aces sit comfortably atop the leader board and remain as the only unbeaten team in the 2009-10 KFC-Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup.

Nothing pleases the Alaska coach more, though, than seeing his go-to guys—Miller, LA Tenorio, Sonny Thoss and Tony de la Cruz—playing according to expectations and Reynel Hugnatan, Joe Devance and Larry Fonacier providing as much impact off the bench.

Obviously, chemistry is not an issue for the Aces, who added just two recruits, rookies Mike Burtscher and Sean Co, on their roster.

So not even a nine-day break in between games could be a cause for worry for Cone, confident his troops would be able to sustain the momentum as they aim for a fifth-straight W against Sta. Lucia Realty at 7:30 tonight at the Araneta Coliseum.

 “When you’re winning, you don’t worry about the long break and the possibility of not being in game shape,” Cone said.

Although he acknowledged the Realtors as no pushovers.

 “They always bring great discipline and defensive intensity to their games,” Cone observes.

The Aces know the Realtors, who are coming off a 101-93 victory over Burger King on Friday, like the back of their hands.

“We have met in the semifinals of the last two Philippine Cup, so we know each other well,” Cone said.

Alaska made short work of Sta. Lucia (3-1) in their tune-up game so Realtors coach Boyet Fernandez expects a tough encounter.

“Alaska’s on a four-game winning streak so we need to bring our A-game,” Fernandez said.

San Miguel also attempts to keep its winning streak going when it takes on struggling Rain or Shine in the other scheduled game at 5 p.m.

After opening the season with back-to-back losses against Ginebra and Alaska, the Beermen bounced back strong with victories against Burger King and Talk ’N Text to pull even with Purefoods and Barako Bull with a 2-2 record.

After an impressive run last season, the Elasto Painters appeared to have lost their magic and found themselves in the pit of the standings with a 0-4 mark.

Still, SMB coach Siot Tanquingcen is not taking anything for granted.

 “Rain or Shine has the talent. They are very dangerous. So we have to stay focused and make sure we compete on every possession. We can’t give up anything easy,” Tanquingcen said.