MASAM SPORTS 38: ALASKA ACES WILL LEAVE THE PBA AFTER 35 YEARS
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 19 Feb 2022
The Alaska Aces owns 14 championships in the Philippine Basketball Association including 31 Finals appearances since 1986. They are considered one of the most popular basketball teams in the Philippines.
The 14 championships won by Alaska are:
1991 Third Conference
1994 Governors'
1995 Governors'
1996 All-Filipino
1996 Commissioner's
1996 Governors'
1997 Governors'
1998 All-Filipino
1998 Commissioner's
2000 All-Filipino
2003 Invitational
2007 Fiesta
2010 Fiesta
2013 Commissioner's
They won a rare grand slam during the 1996 season, joining the Crispa Redmanizers (1976, 1983), San Miguel Beermen (1989), and the San Mig Super Coffee Mixers (2013–14) as one of only four PBA teams to grab the remarkable achievement.
On February 16, 2022, Alaska Milk Corporation announced that the team will leave the PBA at the end of the 2021 Governors' Cup. This is due to a decision by Friesland Campina, the parent company of AMC.
“The Aces franchise will always be very special to me. I had the good fortune of starting this franchise at the age of 24 and learn so much about team dynamics and building championship teams from the players and coaching staff,” said team owner Fred Uytengsu, Alaska Milk Corporation Chairman.
“We take great pride in our participation and success all these years and know we won with integrity. I also want to thank the PBA for our many years of partnership and wish the league continued success in the years to come.
“We thought long and hard before making this final decision. However, we believe that this will allow us to focus our resources on providing affordable nutrition for Filipino families,” said Uytengsu.
The temporary leave of the Magnolia franchise before the start of the 1986 PBA season, reduced the pro league to only five teams. Alaska Milk was then admitted as the PBA'S sixth member. As a newcomer, the ballclub was allowed to pick players from the pool presented by the PBA Board.
The team was headed by Filipino-American owner Wilfred Steven Uytengsu, team manager Joel Aquino and their first coach Tony Vasquez.
The players they selected from the pool included Arnie Tuadles and Ricky Relosa from Ginebra, Rudy Distrito, Marte Saldaña and Noli Banate from Magnolia, Alejo Alolor, Teddy Alfarero and Frankie Lim from Great Taste, and Dennis Abbatuan from Shell.
During the PBA draft that year, as the newest member of the league, they had the first choice and Alaska selected Rey Cuenco as the number one overall draft pick. In the second and third rounds, they picked Ludovico Valenciano and Reynaldo Ramos, respectively.
Their first two imports in the first conference of that season were the comebacking Donnie Ray Koonce and Jerry Eaves, a third round draft pick by the Utah Jazz in 1982.
Both were personally chosen by Alaska coaching consultant Norman Black, the former import and coach of the defunct Magnolia franchise who signed a one-year contract with the Alaska team.
The Milkmen placed fourth in their maiden conference.
In 1996, Alaska entered the All-Filipino Cup finals against Purefoods, and they defeated the favorite TJ Hotdogs. Alaska won their first All-Filipino title and their fourth PBA crown.
The Milkmen qualified for their seventh straight finals appearance when they battled Formula Shell for the Commissioner's Cup title. The finals went into a do-or-die seventh game and Alaska's championship experience proved to be the difference in winning. Their import, Sean Chambers, was a late replacement for Derrick Hamilton, who was sent home after traces of Marijuana were discovered in his urine during the last stages of the semifinals.
In the Governor's Cup, Alaska completed the PBA's fourth grandslam, defeating Ginebra San Miguel in five games. In the year-end awards, Johnny Abarrientos was named MVP, Bong Hawkins settled for the Mythical five with Jojo Lastimosa, Starting center Poch Juinio was the season's most improved player and Sean Chambers handily won the best import award.
Alaska Aces who are Members of the PBA's 25 greatest players:
Johnny Abarrientos called "The Flying A" played for Alaska from 1993–2000 and led the team to several PBA titles and was the 1996 PBA Most Valuable Player.
Bogs Adornado played for the team that time called Hills Bros. in the 1987 season and became the team's head coach after his retirement.
Kenneth Duremdes dubbed "Captain Marbel" played for Alaska from 1998–2003 and led the team to four PBA titles and was the 1998 PBA Most Valuable Player.
Abet Guidaben played for the team from 1989–1990 and later was traded to Pepsi for Harmon Codiñera.
Jojo Lastimosa also nicknamed "The 4th Quarter Man" "Mr.Clutch" "The Helicopter" led Alaska to nine PBA titles and was chosen to several Mythical Team selections, also a 10-time PBA All-Star, 1988 PBA Rookie of the Year and 1996 PBA All Filipino Cup Finals MVP.
On November 12, 2015, the Alaska Aces celebrated its 30th anniversary and named their 30 greatest players:
Johnny Abarrientos
Jojo Lastimosa
Bong Hawkins
Jeffrey Cariaso
Sean Chambers
Yoyoy Villamin
Kenneth Duremdes
Willie Miller
Biboy Ravanes
Willie Pearson
Boy Cabahug
Poch Juinio
Tony Dela Cruz
LA Tenorio
Calvin Abueva
Rob Dozier
JV Casio
Paul Alvarez
Rodney Santos
Ric-Ric Marata
Devin Davis
Diamon Simpson
Reynel Hugnatan
Mike Cortez
Eugene Quilban
Sonny Thoss
Cyrus Baguio
Dondon Hontiveros
Rey Lazaro
Ali Peek
Rossell Ellis
The MVP awardees while still with the Alaska team:
Johnny Abarrientos – 1996
Kenneth Duremdes – 1998
Willie Miller – 2007
Rookie of the Year awardees while still with the team:
Eugene Quilban – 1991
Jeffrey Cariaso – 1995
Calvin Abueva – 2013
The team coaches
Tony Vasquez (1986)
Cesar Jota (1986)
Nat Canson (1987)
Turo Valenzona (1987–1988)
Bogs Adornado (1988–1989)
Tim Cone (1989–2011)
Joel Banal (2011–2012)
Luigi Trillo (2012–2014)
Alex Compton (2014–2019)
Jeffrey Cariaso (2019–present)
“As we bid farewell to our beloved Alaska Aces team, we thank all of you, loyal fans and supporters, for showing your love and support through all of these years. May the memory of Alaska Aces, live on forever. Wala pa rin tatalo sa Alaska!” said the team.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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