There are hints that Bonin did deploy slats, and Flaps, as well. Doesn't thrust increase cornering speed without increasing speed? (Pull a tighter turn?) Doesn't drag replace Thrust in critical manouvering? So with maximum thrust and maximum drag (nibbling at the STALL), don't we have a relatively stable albeit somewhat ballistic a/c?
One thing that interests me is how Bonin's chronic pull can be explained. One way is to assume that the a/c was not controllable with her nose down. As he lowered her nose, she would want to drop it on her own, (completely, and quickly) and this is what he feared (overspeed), at least theoretically. So he was avoiding the Nose droping through, and maintaining "control". Was he cornered behind the curve?