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Alaska Aces (PBA)
Encyclopedia
The Alaska Aces is a professional basketball team in the Philippine Basketball Association
since 1986
under the ownership of the Alaska Milk Corporation and the owner of 13 PBA championships with the 2010 PBA Fiesta Conference
as their latest. They are one of the most popular teams in the league and the Philippines.
They are known for winning nine PBA championships in the 1990s, including a rare grand slam
(winning three championships in one season) during the
1996
season, joining the Crispa Redmanizers
(1976
, 1983
) and the San Miguel Beermen
(1989
) as one of only three franchises to achieve the feat.
team prior to the start of the 1986
season, the league reduced to only five teams. Alaska Milk Corporation of American owner Wilfred Uytengsu was accepted as the league's sixth team before the start of the 1986 season in April. Alaska acquired several holdovers from the old Magnolia team (Marte Saldana, Rudy Distrito and Biboy Ravanes among others) for their inaugural campaign.
Alaska's imports for the 1986 Reinforced Conference were former Utah Jazz
Jerry Lee Eaves and former Toyota
import Donnie Ray Koonce.
In its very first conference, Alaska would place fourth behind Tanduay
, Great Taste, and Ginebra
.
Norman Black stayed with Alaska as its import for the Open Conference teaming up with an import by the name of Mike Morrison. http://mypba.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=86
A list of the 1986 Alaska lineup is listed on this http://mypba.com/forum/index.php?s=&showtopic=86&view=findpost&p=80585|thread.
, Alaska Milk changed its name to the Hills Bros. Coffee Kings. After Manila Beer's disbandment, the Coffee Kings acquired Yoyoy Villamin to form a bruising tandem with Ricky Relosa, known as the "Bruise Brothers".
They also had former Crispa
shooter William "Bogs" Adornado to banner the team, although the former three-time MVP was already slowing down at the time.
The All-Filipino saw the team finally jelling, with the emergence of the "Bruise Brothers" combination of Villamin and Relosa. It entered the Finals, where it got swept 3-0 by Great Taste Coffee. Despite the sweep, it was a brutal, physical Finals series with Villamin and Relosa being matched up against Great Taste's "Royal Brothers" Abe King and "The Sultan of Swat" Philip Cezar.
By virtue of its runner-up finish, Hills Bros. participated in the Coca Cola PBA-IBA World Challenge Cup. They ended up last in the four team tourney behind the Champion IBA selection Los Angeles
Cougars (which had future Alaska import Sean Chambers in its line-up), Great Taste Instant Milk and San Miguel. The Coffee Kings were paraded by imports Alex Adams and Mckinley Singleton.
Reinforced Conference saw Hills Bros. parading a sweet-shooting import by the name of Jose Slaughter. On October 18, 1987 in a game which Hills Bros. won over Great Taste 129-115, Jose Slaughter scored 79 points, the most ever scored by an Alaska/Hills Bros. player in a game. He also scored 14 three point field goals.
The team also made the Finals, losing however to the Bobby Parks-reinforced San Miguel Beermen
4-1.
By the end of the year, Villamin and Relosa would be named the All-Defensive team. Villamin would also be named most improved player, the same award won by Ricky Relosa the year before. Nat Canson and former Tanduay
bench tactician Turo Valenzona were the team's head coach during the '87 campaign.
After that year, Adornado announced his retirement
from the league, his jersey no. 33 was retired and was hung in the rafters of the ULTRA during the opening of the 1988 season. He was the first player in Alaska/Hills Bros franchise to have his number retired and was later named as the team's coach. http://mypba.com/forum/index.php?s=&showtopic=86&view=findpost&p=1467
, the team reverted back to the Alaska name with the Air Force moniker. Some believe that the nickname was a sort of Uytengsu's support for the US soldiers that were based in Olongapo at that time.
The Air Force finished third place in both the Open and All-Filipino Conferences, In the PBA/IBA cup that year, Alaska, parade by imports Willie Bland and Eddie Cox, lost to Anejo-with Bobby Parks on loan from Shell in the Finals. Controversy then surrounds their high-flying import Willie Bland during the season-ending Reinforced Conference with Bogs Adornado now coach of Alaska, replacing Turo Valenzona. Bland was found to have deliberately throwing away games in favor of their opponents, just the same was given his walking papers.
Before the 1989 season
, Alaska acquired three players in what many believed as the richest draft in league history. Paul "Bong" Alvarez, Ric-Ric Marata, and Elmer "Boy" Cabahug were taken from the draft. Same as the year before, Alaska won two third place trophies in the Open and Reinforced Conferences with import Sean Chambers.
, American Earl Timothy Cone
became the new coach of the Air Force after Adornado was fired during the season (owner Uytensu coached a won ballgame for the team). The year also saw the debut of Sean Chambers as Alaska's import.
In 1990
, Alaska advanced in the finals of the Third Conference against a young Purefoods team. Their imports then were Carlos Clark and Chambers. After a 2-0 lead in the Best-of-five series, Alaska suffered one of the biggest collapses in league history as Purefoods won the next three games to win the title. The team had the top pick in the draft and grabbed Alex Araneta out of Ateneo
. But in later years, Araneta was considered a bust and was out of the league by 1997
.
In 1991
, Eugene Quilban joined Alaska from the rookie draft to bolster the Alaska squad. Jojo Lastimosa was acquired after being taken from Purefoods in a trade with Elmer Cabahug. After a third-place showing in the All-Filipino, they returned to the finals of the Third Conference against crowd-favorite Ginebra San Miguel
and former Laker
Wes Matthews. Alvarez, Lastimosa, and their teammates dominated the series that saw them winning it, 3 games to 1 for their first title in team history.
Alvarez was then eased out of the team when his one-on-one style didn't suit the new offensive scheme being enforced by Tim Cone – the triangle offense
. Quilban later left Alaska for 7-Up, in which he led the team to a finals loss to Swift
. http://mypba.com/forum/index.php?s=&showtopic=86&view=findpost&p=813
Alaska managed one third-place finish in 1992
. In the 1993
draft, the Milkmen drafted Far Eastern University
point guard
Johnny Abarrientos, an energetic and exciting little man who can drive to the basket against taller opponents. The Milkmen never won a trophy during their '93 campaign.
In 1994
, Alaska acquired Bong "The Hawk" Hawkins from Sta. Lucia
which helped him resurrect his career. Alaska lost to Purefoods in the Commissioner's Cup Finals. In the Governor's Cup, Alaska defeated Swift to win their third PBA title with Abarrientos, Lastimosa, Hawkins, and import Sean Chambers leading the team.
In 1995, Alaska got Jeffrey Cariaso from the draft and added center Edward Juinio to the team.
Alaska made it to the Finals of all conferences of 1995
. In the All-Filipino, they lost a seven-game tussle against Sunkist
. In the rematch, the Ronnie Grandison-led Juicers once again powered the Derrick Hamilton-led Alaska to win the Commissioner's Cup crown. But in the Governor's Cup, the Milkmen overcame a 2-3 deficit to defeat San Miguel
in seven games with a strong performance by Lastimosa. Jeffrey Cariaso won Rookie of the Year honors at the end of this year.
and Jerry Codiñera in five games. In the series-clincher, Jeffrey Cariaso was fouled in the final second on an inbound play by Bong "The Raven" Ravena, Purefood's baseline specialist at that time. Cariaso sank both free-throws to seal Alaska's first title of the year.
Their toughest championship series was in the Commissioner's Cup Finals against a tough Formula Shell
team of Benjie Paras, Victor Pablo, and import Kenny Redfield. After six grueling games, the Milkmen captured the seventh and final game to win their fifth title in franchise history with Johnny Abarrientos, Jojo Lastimosa and Bong Hawkins leading the team alongside import Sean Chambers, who came in to replace Derrick Hamilton midway through the conference.
Chambers returned for Alaska in the Governor's Cup and for the eighth straight time since 1994, Alaska was back in the Finals against crowd-favorite Ginebra San Miguel
who ousted sister team San Miguel
in the semis. But it was a one-sided affair as the Milkmen went to win the first three games of the series before defeating Ginebra in Game five to capture the feat.
By season's end, Hawkins, Lastimosa, and Cariaso were included in the Mythical team while Abarrientos became the smallest man in PBA history to capture the coveted Most Valuable Player award
.
season when Jeffrey Cariaso signed with new PBA franchise, Mobiline Phone Pals. The Milkmen failed to enter the semis of the All-Filipino Cup.
In the Commissioner's Cup, the first ten games of the tournament was bannered by former Ginebra import Sylvester Gray. He was eventually replaced by Kevin Holland and the Milkmen advanced to the Finals against Gordon's Gin Boars
. The Boars took a 3-0 series lead but Alaska managed to win the next two games to cut the deficit to 3-2. However, Gordon's won Game Six as Alaska fell short again.
In the Governor's Cup, they acquired veteran center Jack "The Ripper" Tanuan and the high-flying Kenneth Duremdes in exchange for Dwight Lago and Boyet Fernandez from Pop Cola
. The 24-year-old Duremdes became a perfect replacement for Cariaso and a perfect running mate for Lastimosa and Abarrientos. Alaska, with Chambers once again as import, defeated Purefoods to win the title in five games.
In 1998
, Alaska traded for former San Sebastian Star and slasher, Rodney Santos from the Purefoods TJ Hotdogs. Alaska then dominated the All-Filipino Cup and took on San Miguel in the finals. The Beermen led 3-2 after a strong showing by Nelson Asaytono in game five. But, Alaska won the next two games to capture another title.
Dreadlock-sporting Devin Davis powered Alaska in the Commissioner's Cup, winning Best Import honors. The team advanced to the finals in a rematch against the Beermen. Duremdes was named as the Best Player of the Conference while defeating San Miguel in six games for their ninth title despite losing Bong Hawkins to a season-ending injury.
Already, several people were hyping a possible 'Grand Slam II' for the team. But, with the 1998 Asian Games
set in December and Cone
was named head coach, he tapped Abarrientos, Duremdes, and Lastimosa to lead the Philippine team.
Assistants Jun Reyes and Dickey Bachmann took over for Alaska. But despite a strong showing from the slasher Rodney Santos and their resident shooter, Rhoel Gomez, the Milkmen failed to enter the semis of both the special 1998 PBA Centennial Cup
and the season-ending Governor's Cup.
Duremdes was named the Most Valuable Player at the end of the year, the second Alaska Milkman to win the coveted individual award.
With the arrival of some talented Filipino-American cagers in the league, the Milkmen opted to stick with the same core for the 1999
season. In the All-Filipino, the Milkmen was eliminated by expansion team Tanduay
in the semis.
In the Commissioner's Cup, Devin Davis made his return to the team, but the young San Miguel team of Danny Ildefonso
and Danny Seigle
conspired with their import, Terquin Mott, to eliminate the Aces in five games. They finished third in the tournament.
Alaska advanced to the Finals of the Governor's Cup with Chambers at the helm but San Miguel, led by Lamont "The Helicopter" Strothers, defeated the Milkmen in six games despite Alaska getting an early 2-1 series lead.
In 2000
, Jojo Lastimosa was traded to Pop Cola as part of the team's future plan to rebuild. Alaska won their 10th PBA title at the expense of Purefoods in the All-Filipino Conference. Purefoods won Game one of this series but the Milkmen won the next four games to win the series.
The Milkmen failed to enter the Finals of the Commissioner's Cup after they were eliminated by the Beermen in the semi-finals.
was renamed only on 2003) replaced its original logo and uniforms to a more cartoonish-look which they still have today. Despite the change, however, Alaska failed to reach the Finals of the Governor's Cup once again.
Before the 2001
season, the Aces traded popular star Johnny Abarrientos to the Pop Cola Panthers
for forward Ali Peek and guard Jon Ordonio. In the draft, Alaska used the fifth pick to draft fil-am John Arigo. The Aces also signed Duremdes to a reported 48 million peso deal for seven years.
In the All-Filipino, the Aces were eliminated in the quarterfinals by Abarrientos and Pop Cola. In the Commissioners Cup, a strong showing by Peek gave defending champion San Miguel a fight but still loss in five games of the semis. In the Governors Cup, they were eliminated in the quarterfinals.
Chambers retired three games into the Governors Cup. In a simple ceremony, the Aces retired his #20 jersey, becoming the second player in team history to have his number retired.
Duremdes was borrowed by the Philippine National Team in 2002
and Lastimosa made his return to Alaska. The Aces, with Ron Riley and Montreal Dobbins as imports, but after 6 games, Dobbins was replaced by James Head, advanced to the finals of the Governor's Cup against Purefoods. The Aces led 2-0 in the seven game series, but the TJ Hotdogs won the next three games. After Alaska tied it up in Game Six, Purefoods won Game seven to deny the Aces its 11th title. In the Commissioner's Cup, Ajani Williams and Chris Carawell bannered the Aces but was eliminated by Talk N' Text in the semi-finals. Duremdes returned for the Aces in the All-Filipino and made it to the finals. After winning Game 1, the Aces lost the next three games to settle another runner-up finish.
In the 2003
PBA Draft, Alaska shocked the league by trading their superstar, Kenneth Duremdes to the Sta. Lucia Realtors
for the fifth pick of the first round. This enabled Alaska to get Brandon Cablay as the team's top draft pick.
The Aces also held the first overall pick in the draft and selected De La Salle University-Manila
star point guard
Mike Cortez
, who was considered as the next great point guard in the Alaska franchise's history, following Johnny Abarrientos.
During halftime of their season opening game, Alaska retired Jojo Lastimosa's #6 jersey. During the offseason, Lastimosa announced his retirement
after playing 15 seasons in the league. He is currently one of the team's assistant coaches.
In the All-Filipino, Alaska failed in its bid to enter the Finals as they were eliminated by Talk 'N Text in a grueling five-game series. However, the Aces won the third place trophy via a blowout in expense of San Miguel Beer.
In the Invitational tournament, Alaska had to play in the qualifying round to enter the tournament. The Aces swept the elimination round, winning all four of its games, to make it to the semis. In a one-game showdown, Alaska defeated Red Bull Barako to face Coca-Cola
in the Finals.
The Tigers won Game One of the series, but the Aces won the next two games to win their 11th PBA title, this time with a different set of players. Brandon Cablay was named as Finals MVP, while Ali Peek won Best Player of the Conference honors.
In the Reinforced Conference, Alaska struggled in the tournament and was eliminated by Duremdes and Sta. Lucia in the quarters.
Alaska paraded former NBA
journeyman Galen Young for the 2004 Fiesta Conference. The Aces placed second after the elimination round of the tournament. But, they failed to enter the finals of the said tournament winning only one game in three outings in the semi-finals.
In the 2004–05 season, the Aces managed to finished fourth in the qualifying round. After eliminating FedEx in the Wild-Card phase, they were swept by San Miguel in the quarters. During the tournament, Arigo and Peek were shipped to Coca-Cola for Jeffrey Cariaso and Reynel Hugnatan. Bong Hawkins also made his return to the Aces, reuniting him with Cariaso, assistant coach Jojo Lastimosa, and Cone.
Alaska hired Leon Derricks for the Fiesta Conference. However, his inconsistent game led to his replacement by former Chicago Bull
Dickey Simpkins. The addition of Simpkins helped Alaska climbed into third place at the end of the classification round. The Aces faced San Miguel Beer in the semis. A back injury sustained by Simpkins, after being elbowed in the back by Dorian Peña, prevented him from playing at full strength during the series. Former Alaska Ace, Bryan Gahol, hit the last second shot in Game three to eliminate Alaska from the tournament.
. The Aces also acquired the services of former Mobiline and Coca-Cola import Artemus "Tee" McClary for the Fiesta Conference.
After the Aces placed second behind Team Pilipinas in the Brunei Sultan's Cup, with Dela Cruz playing for the said team, the team was considered as one of the top contenders to win the upcoming season.
However, the Aces went on a slide after a good start. After Alaska blowing a 28-point lead and losing to the Purefoods Chunkee Giants, the team went on a downhill since. With McClary's decline starting to show, he was eventually replaced by the 3-point shooting Odell Bradley who showed some impressive scoring outputs. However, Alaska still finished seventh in the classification phase with a 7-9 record.
The Aces swept Sta. Lucia in a best-of-three matchup in the wildcard phase before being swept in a best-of-five affair by eventual champion Red Bull Barako.
Weeks before the start of the Philippine Cup, Alaska traded Brandon Cablay to San Miguel in exchange for veteran Nic Belasco. On May 8, 2006, the Aces traded Don Allado to Talk 'N Text for guard Willie Miller and forward John Ferriols. Alaska finished with a 9-7 record in the classifications, thus earning an outright berth in the quarterfinals. In the quarterfinals, the Aces defeated the Coca-Cola Tigers, with former Alaska star Johnny Abarrientos
on the squad, 3-1. The opening game of the series saw Alaska winning on a last second three-pointer by Nic Belasco
.
In the semi-finals against top-seed Purefoods Chunkee Giants, the Aces led 3-1 and was a win away from a finals berth but failed to win all of the remaining games. Alaska would end the tournament on a winning note, capturing the third place trophy with a 102-95 win over San Miguel, their 12th third-place finish in team history.
signed a contract extension to remain with the team, erasing speculation of his possible dismissal. In the 2006 PBA Draft
, Alaska selected Letran
's Aaron Aban and UST
's Christian Luanzon.
Alaska started the 2006–07 PBA Philippine Cup poorly but rebounded to finish with an 8-10 record for a wildcard berth. After losing in a last-second overtime thriller against Coca-Cola, and a win by Sta. Lucia on the next game date eliminated Alaska from contention despite winning their last game against Sta. Lucia.
Injuries to Reynel Hugnatan and Mike Cortez affected the team's play throughout the said conference.
However, Alaska started the 2007 PBA Fiesta Conference
with a 7-4 card before the All-Star break, with Roselle Ellis as their import. Shooting Guard, Willie Miller provided a strong performance for the Aces during the tournament posting numerous 20 point-games.
The return of Cortez sparked a late surge by the team by finishing with a 12-6 record and beat Ginebra in a one-game playoff to earn an outright semifinals berth.
After eliminating the San Miguel Beermen in the semifinals via a 4-2 series win, the Aces entered the finals for a 19th time to meet the Talk 'N Text Phone Pals.
Despite a 1-2 and a 2-3 deficit in the titular showdown, Miller, named the league's Most Valuable Player, erupted for 29 points to tie the series in Game 4 and recovered from a dismal performance in Game 5 with a sterling 37-point output in Game 6 to force a decider.
The seventh game was a seesaw battle before Miller fired a go-ahead layup and a Reynel Hugnatan freethrow in the last two minutes to seal a 99-96 championship win for Alaska.
During this season, American author and journalist Rafe Bartholomew followed the team as part of a Fulbright Scholarship study on basketball in the Philippines. The story of the team, along with other anecdotes from his time in the country, was made into a book, titled Pacific Rims and published in the spring of 2011.
along with second round selection Ardy Larong.
In order to free up some cap spaces, the team traded veteran forward Nic Belasco
to Welcoat in exchange for Junjun Cabatu while signing free agent Ariel Capus.
In the 2007–08 Philippine Cup, the Aces lost at the semis against Sta. Lucia.
Before the start of the Fiesta Conference, Alaska acquired former King Blue Eagles L.A. Tenorio and Larry Fonacier in exchange for ace point guard Mike Cortez and 1st round draft pick Ken Bono. They also tapped former Chicago Bull and Talk 'N Text import Randy Holcomb as their reinforcement to help them defend the crown. Alaska, started slowly winning only 2 of their 6 matches including a 4-game losing streak. Then came a rumor that Holcomb will be replaced by former Milwaukee Buck Daniel Santiago. However, it was confirmed that the rumors were not true and they were not in negotiations with the Puerto Rico national team starting center. Alaska came on to a conference high 6-game winning streak and made their record to 8-6 and had a chance of getting a semi-final seat.
In their 2nd round game against Magnolia, Alaska was trailing along the way until the final minute which they came in and even grabbed the lead, but Alaska's semi-final dream came to an end when a call by the referee with 0.3 seconds left caused them the game. Tied at 99 all, former Alaska Ace Mike Cortez split his freethrows to give Magnolia a one point lead. However, Larry Fonacier's jumper went in front of the rim as time expired and Magnolia escaped with a nail-biting 100-99 win over the defending champions.
On September 4, 2008, the team signed 2004 7th overall pick Ervin Sotto. While on September 22, 2008, Alaska traded JR Quiñahan to the Air21 Express in exchange for 2008 6th overall pick Mark Borboran. Meanwhile, the team also signed veteran 6-9 Eric Canlas through free agency.
The Aces started their campaign on their quest for their 4th All-Filipino crown on a high note including a 4-0 start. They struggled in the middle part of the conference but still remained the leader in the standings. Alaska finished as the number one team after the elimination round winning 12 games in 18 matches and was the first team to secure a seat in the Semifinals giving them a long rest. After three weeks of waiting, they faced the defending Philippine Cup champion Sta. Lucia Realtors, a re-match of last year's Semifinals which went to a seven-game grueling series. The Realtors swept the depleted-lineup of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the Quarterfinals. The Aces beat the defending champion Realtors in six games to advance and arranged a Finals showdown with the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters. They had a 2-0 lead first but Talk 'N Text tied the series 2-2. In Game 5, Alaska won 95-93 courtesy by Willie Miller's tough three point shot. In Game 6, Talk 'N Text tied the series 3-3 to force a Game 7. In Game 7, they had a chance to win the title but the missed free throws during the crucial seconds of the game by Miller and Joe Devance gave Talk 'N Text the win and the title, 93-89.
Despite Alaska's strong output during the eliminations, Purefoods swept them in the finals, including three straight game heart-breaking losses.
Alaska paraded import Diamon Simpson in the Fiesta Conference. Simpson, who played for the Los Angeles D-Fenders
, a former NBA D-League team and affiliate of back-to-back NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers
before coming to the PBA, was very impressive and fitted perfectly in to Tim Cone's Triangle System. He nearly averaged 30 points and 20 rebounds a game and made Alaska to be the favorites to win it all in the import-laden conference.
In the middle of the conference, leading scorer Willie Miller was traded to the Barangay Ginebra Kings
in exchange for high flyer Cyrus Baguio. It was rumored that Miller wanted out of Alaska before the season started. After the trade was approved and made, in a coincidence, Alaska's next game was against Ginebra. In that game, the Aces trailed most of the game until in the fourth quarter when Cyrus Baguio finally exploded for 14 points and showed his talents to lead Alaska to a comeback win. The Aces put team captain Jeffrey Cariaso
in the reserve list in what would have been his retirement but a few games after, Cariaso returned and played again. Alaska also signed veteran guard Topex Robinson
during the season.
Alaska met rival Talk N Text in the semi-finals. LA Tenorio was awarded as the Most Improved Player in the league. Former Alaska point guard Johnny Abarrientos
announced his retirement after playing 15 seasons in the league. The Aces defeated the Tropang Texters in a grueling seven-game series despite being down 2-3. The Aces met top seed San Miguel Beer led by best import Gabe Freeman
in the finals. The Aces dominated the Beermen and won their 13th Championship in six games. LA Tenorio and Cyrus Baguio were named co-Finals MVP of the series.
At the end of the season, Jeffrey Cariaso
retired and Tony Dela Cruz was named the new captain of the team.
(#16) and Johnny Abarrientos
(#14). Both players were instrumental for their grandslam finish
in 1996
.
The league decided to go back to the three-conference format: All-Filipino Cup, Commissioner's Cup and the Governor's Cup.
In the PBA Draft, Alaska traded shooter Larry Fonacier to Talk N Text in exchange for the fourth overall pick that led them to draft former UE Warrior Elmer Espiritu
. With Jeffrey Cariaso
retiring, the Aces traded their second round pick to Meralco for another former UE player Bonbon Custodio
. Alaska used their second draft pick in the second round to get JRU's Marvin Hayes.
For the duration of the Philippine Cup, Alaska will wear their throwback
early 1990s light uniform temporary replacing their current light jersey.
Alaska finished the conference with a 7-7 record. Thanks to Joe Devance's improved play, it was enough for the Aces to be qualified in the quarterfinals. However, they were defeated by Ginebra in a do-or-die five games series despite leading 2-0 and up by 20 in game 5.
In the Commissioner's Cup, Alaska paraded former Chicago Bull Eddie Basden
as their import for the upcoming conference. Before the conference started, Alaska played in Cebu for an Invitational Tournament that made them the champions in the said league. However, Basden failed to pass the height limit requirement for imports which was 6'4. Alaska quickly replaced him and got 2010 NBA D-League Slam Dunk Champion LD Williams. The Aces also traded long time bruiser Reynel Hugnatan
to Meralco for young guns Hans Thiele
and Paolo Bugia
and released Marvin Hayes. Alaska also signed guard Don Dulay
. Topex Robinson
, who still has a live contract with Alaska, joined Tim Cone's crew as one of the assistant coaches of the team.
Before the Governor's Cup, Alaska traded rookie Elmer Espiritu to Air21 in exchange for swingman Wesley Gonzales
. Aces coach Tim Cone said that they were pursuing Gonzales since the last three years. On May 27, 2011, Alaska Aces was forced to let go of Joe Devance
after the talented Fil-Am forward begged off. Team manager Joaqui Trillo, however, stressed Devance is guaranteed of the maximum pay through the end of his current contract next year. So, Alaska Management trade Joe Devance for Air21 Express' Jay-R Reyes
. On the next day, Commissioner Salud requested Air21 to add up another player or its 2011 first round pick as he finds the trade "uneven". The Express responded with the 2011 and 2012 second round picks making Salud nod in the deal. The Aces also signed PBA Veteran Aries Dimaunahan
.
Alaska had a tweak start losing their first two games but quickly bounced back winning four of their last five games. Thanks to import Jason Forte's hustle play who coach Tim Cone called as "underrated", the team's improved play led by LA Tenorio and Cyrus Baguio plus newcomer Wesley Gonzales' "real game" starting to pay off, the Aces qualified to the step ladder semifinals. The Aces finished with 8 wins in 13 outings including the semifinals despite losing key players Cyrus Baguio and Wesley Gonzales to an injury. But due to the controversial quotient system, Alaska failed to enter the finals with Petron having the superior quotient despite with the same records with Ginebra and the Aces itself.
guard Aries Dimaunahan returned to Shopinas Clickers where his rights are based.
Last August 28, 2011 at the PBA Rookie Draft, Alaska picked former FEU main man and Smart-Gilas standout Mac Baracael at sixth overall during the first round. In the second round, the Aces have four picks and used it to get former Blue Eagle leading scorer Eric Salamat at the 13th, mystery Fil-Am Julius Pasculado at the 14th, and big man Ariel Mepana at the 15th. The Aces also owned the 17th pick but decided to trade it to Meralco for its 2014 second round pick.
On September 1, 2011 Alaska made a rare press conference and shocked the basketball industry to announce that after 22 years of coaching the Alaska Aces, Tim Cone resigns as head coach of the Aces. Alaska team owmer Wilfred Steven Uytengsu said that the legendary head coach is leaving Alaska to seek opportunities outside of the organization. He is succeeded by his lead assistant Joel Banal who inked a three year deal to lead the team.
As of now, Alaska has signed rookies Mac Baracael to a three-year deal and Eric Salamat to a two-year contract. While Fil-Am Julius Pasculado and Ariel Mepaña have signed a one-year contract each. Wesley Gonzales
and Brandon Cablay
were given new contracts while the team decided not to re-new the contract of Mark Borboran.
Philippine Basketball Association
The Philippine Basketball Association , is a men's professional basketball league in the Philippines composed of 10 company-branded franchised teams. It is the first and oldest professional basketball league in Asia and the second oldest in the world after the NBA...
since 1986
1986 PBA season
The 1986 PBA season was the 12th season of the Philippine Basketball Association .-Notable Events:*Alaska Milk marked its first participation in the league...
under the ownership of the Alaska Milk Corporation and the owner of 13 PBA championships with the 2010 PBA Fiesta Conference
2010 PBA Fiesta Conference
The 2010 Philippine Basketball Association Fiesta Conference, is the last conference of the 2009-10 PBA season. It started on March 21 and finished on August 18, 2010...
as their latest. They are one of the most popular teams in the league and the Philippines.
They are known for winning nine PBA championships in the 1990s, including a rare grand slam
Grand Slam (PBA)
The Grand Slam in the Philippine Basketball Association refers to a PBA team who has won all three conferences in a single season. After the PBA reduced the number of conferences from three to two beginning in 2004, the term became quite obsolete to some...
(winning three championships in one season) during the
1996
1996 PBA season
-Finals results:*PBA Governors Cup Finals: Alaska Milkmen def. Ginebra San Miguel , 4 games to 1.*Third place: Formula Shell -Finals results:*PBA Governors Cup Finals: (1) Alaska Milkmen (8-3) def. (4) Ginebra San Miguel (7-4), 4 games to 1.*Third place: Formula Shell -Finals results:*PBA...
season, joining the Crispa Redmanizers
Crispa Redmanizers
The Crispa Redmanizers was a basketball team in the Manila Industrial Commercial Athletic Association , the Philippine Basketball Association and the Philippine Amateur Basketball League from the 1960s to the early 1990s.- Profile and history :...
(1976
1976 PBA season
The 1976 PBA Season was the second season of the Philippine Basketball Association . The season was memorable for it capped the first Grand Slam in the PBA, where the Crispa Redmanizers won all three conferences.-Notable events:...
, 1983
1983 PBA season
The 1983 PBA season was the ninth season of the Philippine Basketball Association . The famed Crispa Redmanizers won its Second Grandslam after first doing the trick in 1976...
) and the San Miguel Beermen
San Miguel Beermen
The Petron Blaze Boosters is a professional basketball team in the Philippine Basketball Association. The team has been a member of the league since its inception in 1975 and hold the most PBA titles with 19.The team is owned by the Petron Corporation, a subsidiary of the Philippines' largest food...
(1989
1989 PBA season
The 1989 PBA season was the 15th season of the Philippine Basketball Association .-Notable Events:*The richest crop of rookies, and the most talented PBA batch of draftees, came to the PBA in its 15th.season, most notable names were Benjie Paras, Nelson Asaytono, Dindo Pumaren, Paul Alvarez, Zaldy...
) as one of only three franchises to achieve the feat.
1986: First season
After the temporary departure of the MagnoliaSan Miguel Beermen
The Petron Blaze Boosters is a professional basketball team in the Philippine Basketball Association. The team has been a member of the league since its inception in 1975 and hold the most PBA titles with 19.The team is owned by the Petron Corporation, a subsidiary of the Philippines' largest food...
team prior to the start of the 1986
1986 PBA season
The 1986 PBA season was the 12th season of the Philippine Basketball Association .-Notable Events:*Alaska Milk marked its first participation in the league...
season, the league reduced to only five teams. Alaska Milk Corporation of American owner Wilfred Uytengsu was accepted as the league's sixth team before the start of the 1986 season in April. Alaska acquired several holdovers from the old Magnolia team (Marte Saldana, Rudy Distrito and Biboy Ravanes among others) for their inaugural campaign.
Alaska's imports for the 1986 Reinforced Conference were former Utah Jazz
Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz is a professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They are currently a part of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
Jerry Lee Eaves and former Toyota
Toyota Super Corollas
The Toyota Super Corollas was a professional basketball team in the Philippine Basketball Association from 1975-1983. The team had various monikers such as the Comets, the Silver Tamaraws, the Tamaraws, the Super Diesels, the Super Corollas and the Silver Coronas.Their nine PBA titles is the...
import Donnie Ray Koonce.
In its very first conference, Alaska would place fourth behind Tanduay
Tanduay Rhum Masters
The Tanduay Rhum Masters is a former Manila Industrial and Commercial Athletic Association , Philippine Basketball Association and Philippine Basketball League basketball team.-History:...
, Great Taste, and Ginebra
Barangay Ginebra Kings
The Barangay Ginebra Kings is a professional basketball team of the Philippine Basketball Association founded in 1979 and owned by the Ginebra San Miguel, Inc., a subsidiary of the San Miguel Corporation...
.
Norman Black stayed with Alaska as its import for the Open Conference teaming up with an import by the name of Mike Morrison. http://mypba.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=86
A list of the 1986 Alaska lineup is listed on this http://mypba.com/forum/index.php?s=&showtopic=86&view=findpost&p=80585|thread.
- Dennis Abbatuan
- Teodocio 'Teddy' Alfarero †
- Alejo 'Pongkee' Alolor
- Noli Banate
- Reynaldo 'Rey' Cuenco †
- Rudy Distrito
- Frankie Lim
- Reynaldo Ramos Jr.
- Ricardo 'Ricky' Relosa
- Marte Saldaña
- Arnulfo 'Arnie' Tuadles †
- Ludovico 'Naning' Valenciano
- Norman BlackNorman BlackNorman Augustus Black is an American retired professional basketball player in the CBA, NBA, and PBA who has since settled in the Philippines. He is also a former head coach of the San Miguel Beermen, Mobiline Phone Pals, Pop Cola 800s, and Sta. Lucia Realtors...
- Donnie Ray Koonce
- Jerry Lee Eaves
- Keith Morrison
1987: Hills Bros. Coffee Kings
In 19871987 PBA season
The 1987 PBA season was the 13th season of the Philippine Basketball Association .-Notable Occurrences:*Manila Beer Brewmasters disbanded its franchise, reducing the membership to only 6 teams, their players were absorbed by the rest of the PBA ballclubs.*The PBA, in partnership with a newly-formed...
, Alaska Milk changed its name to the Hills Bros. Coffee Kings. After Manila Beer's disbandment, the Coffee Kings acquired Yoyoy Villamin to form a bruising tandem with Ricky Relosa, known as the "Bruise Brothers".
They also had former Crispa
Crispa Redmanizers
The Crispa Redmanizers was a basketball team in the Manila Industrial Commercial Athletic Association , the Philippine Basketball Association and the Philippine Amateur Basketball League from the 1960s to the early 1990s.- Profile and history :...
shooter William "Bogs" Adornado to banner the team, although the former three-time MVP was already slowing down at the time.
The All-Filipino saw the team finally jelling, with the emergence of the "Bruise Brothers" combination of Villamin and Relosa. It entered the Finals, where it got swept 3-0 by Great Taste Coffee. Despite the sweep, it was a brutal, physical Finals series with Villamin and Relosa being matched up against Great Taste's "Royal Brothers" Abe King and "The Sultan of Swat" Philip Cezar.
By virtue of its runner-up finish, Hills Bros. participated in the Coca Cola PBA-IBA World Challenge Cup. They ended up last in the four team tourney behind the Champion IBA selection Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
Cougars (which had future Alaska import Sean Chambers in its line-up), Great Taste Instant Milk and San Miguel. The Coffee Kings were paraded by imports Alex Adams and Mckinley Singleton.
Reinforced Conference saw Hills Bros. parading a sweet-shooting import by the name of Jose Slaughter. On October 18, 1987 in a game which Hills Bros. won over Great Taste 129-115, Jose Slaughter scored 79 points, the most ever scored by an Alaska/Hills Bros. player in a game. He also scored 14 three point field goals.
The team also made the Finals, losing however to the Bobby Parks-reinforced San Miguel Beermen
San Miguel Beermen
The Petron Blaze Boosters is a professional basketball team in the Philippine Basketball Association. The team has been a member of the league since its inception in 1975 and hold the most PBA titles with 19.The team is owned by the Petron Corporation, a subsidiary of the Philippines' largest food...
4-1.
By the end of the year, Villamin and Relosa would be named the All-Defensive team. Villamin would also be named most improved player, the same award won by Ricky Relosa the year before. Nat Canson and former Tanduay
Tanduay Rhum Masters
The Tanduay Rhum Masters is a former Manila Industrial and Commercial Athletic Association , Philippine Basketball Association and Philippine Basketball League basketball team.-History:...
bench tactician Turo Valenzona were the team's head coach during the '87 campaign.
After that year, Adornado announced his retirement
Retirement
Retirement is the point where a person stops employment completely. A person may also semi-retire by reducing work hours.Many people choose to retire when they are eligible for private or public pension benefits, although some are forced to retire when physical conditions don't allow the person to...
from the league, his jersey no. 33 was retired and was hung in the rafters of the ULTRA during the opening of the 1988 season. He was the first player in Alaska/Hills Bros franchise to have his number retired and was later named as the team's coach. http://mypba.com/forum/index.php?s=&showtopic=86&view=findpost&p=1467
1988–1990: Alaska Air Force
In 19881988 PBA season
The 1988 PBA season was the 14th season of the Philippine Basketball Association .-Notable Events:*After Tanduay filed a leave of absence, some remnants were absorbed, along with several amateur prospects by Purefoods Corporation....
, the team reverted back to the Alaska name with the Air Force moniker. Some believe that the nickname was a sort of Uytengsu's support for the US soldiers that were based in Olongapo at that time.
The Air Force finished third place in both the Open and All-Filipino Conferences, In the PBA/IBA cup that year, Alaska, parade by imports Willie Bland and Eddie Cox, lost to Anejo-with Bobby Parks on loan from Shell in the Finals. Controversy then surrounds their high-flying import Willie Bland during the season-ending Reinforced Conference with Bogs Adornado now coach of Alaska, replacing Turo Valenzona. Bland was found to have deliberately throwing away games in favor of their opponents, just the same was given his walking papers.
Before the 1989 season
1989 PBA season
The 1989 PBA season was the 15th season of the Philippine Basketball Association .-Notable Events:*The richest crop of rookies, and the most talented PBA batch of draftees, came to the PBA in its 15th.season, most notable names were Benjie Paras, Nelson Asaytono, Dindo Pumaren, Paul Alvarez, Zaldy...
, Alaska acquired three players in what many believed as the richest draft in league history. Paul "Bong" Alvarez, Ric-Ric Marata, and Elmer "Boy" Cabahug were taken from the draft. Same as the year before, Alaska won two third place trophies in the Open and Reinforced Conferences with import Sean Chambers.
1991–2000: Alaska Milkmen
Arrival of Tim Cone
In 19891989 PBA season
The 1989 PBA season was the 15th season of the Philippine Basketball Association .-Notable Events:*The richest crop of rookies, and the most talented PBA batch of draftees, came to the PBA in its 15th.season, most notable names were Benjie Paras, Nelson Asaytono, Dindo Pumaren, Paul Alvarez, Zaldy...
, American Earl Timothy Cone
Tim Cone
Earl Timothy Cone, better known as Tim Cone, is an American head coach of B-Meg Llamados in the Philippine Basketball Association. He is known for leading the Aces to 13 PBA titles in its franchise history while leading the 1996 Milkmen to a rare PBA Grandslam. He also once coached the Philippine...
became the new coach of the Air Force after Adornado was fired during the season (owner Uytensu coached a won ballgame for the team). The year also saw the debut of Sean Chambers as Alaska's import.
In 1990
1990 PBA season
The 1990 PBA season was the 16th season of the Philippine Basketball Association .-Season Highlights:*The PBA increased its membership from 6 teams to 8, with the entry of expansion teams, RFM/Cosmos Bottling, Inc. and Pepsi-Cola...
, Alaska advanced in the finals of the Third Conference against a young Purefoods team. Their imports then were Carlos Clark and Chambers. After a 2-0 lead in the Best-of-five series, Alaska suffered one of the biggest collapses in league history as Purefoods won the next three games to win the title. The team had the top pick in the draft and grabbed Alex Araneta out of Ateneo
Ateneo Blue Eagles
The Ateneo Blue Eagles is the name of the collegiate men's varsity basketball team of the Ateneo de Manila University that plays in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines, the premiere sports league in the country. The collegiate women's varsity basketball team is called the Lady...
. But in later years, Araneta was considered a bust and was out of the league by 1997
1997 PBA season
The 1997 PBA season was the 23rd season of the Philippine Basketball Association .-Notable occurrences:*The entry of Fil-Americans in the PBA, for the first time in league history, the top two picks of the Annual Rookie draft was born outside the Philippines, the 6-9 Andrew John Seigle, a discovery...
.
In 1991
1991 PBA season
The 1991 PBA season was the 17th season of the Philippine Basketball Association .-Season Highlights:*The PBA Rookie draft, was aired on TV lived for the first time in league history....
, Eugene Quilban joined Alaska from the rookie draft to bolster the Alaska squad. Jojo Lastimosa was acquired after being taken from Purefoods in a trade with Elmer Cabahug. After a third-place showing in the All-Filipino, they returned to the finals of the Third Conference against crowd-favorite Ginebra San Miguel
Barangay Ginebra Kings
The Barangay Ginebra Kings is a professional basketball team of the Philippine Basketball Association founded in 1979 and owned by the Ginebra San Miguel, Inc., a subsidiary of the San Miguel Corporation...
and former Laker
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
Wes Matthews. Alvarez, Lastimosa, and their teammates dominated the series that saw them winning it, 3 games to 1 for their first title in team history.
Alvarez was then eased out of the team when his one-on-one style didn't suit the new offensive scheme being enforced by Tim Cone – the triangle offense
Triangle offense
The Triangle Offense, also known as the triple-post offense, is an offensive strategy in basketball. Its basic ideas were initially established by Hall of Fame coach Sam Barry at the University of Southern California. His system was later refined by former Kansas State University head basketball...
. Quilban later left Alaska for 7-Up, in which he led the team to a finals loss to Swift
Pop Cola Panthers
The Pop Cola Panthers is a former Philippine Basketball Association team from 1990-2001 under the ownership of Cosmos Bottling Corporation, a subsidiary of RFM Corporation. Cosmos was sold to Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines, Inc., then-owned by San Miguel Corporation in 2001 which also includes the...
. http://mypba.com/forum/index.php?s=&showtopic=86&view=findpost&p=813
Alaska managed one third-place finish in 1992
1992 PBA season
The 1992 PBA season was the 18th season of the Philippine Basketball Association .-Notable occurrences:*PBA Commissioner Rudy Salud, stepped down from his post, after four successful years of guiding the league at its highest level, PBA chairman Rey Marquez succeeded Atty.Salud as the new PBA...
. In the 1993
1993 PBA season
The 1993 PBA season was the 19th season of the Philippine Basketball Association .-Notable events:*The league moves to its new home, the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.*The league unveils their new logo during the opening ceremonies.*Sta...
draft, the Milkmen drafted Far Eastern University
Far Eastern University
Far Eastern University in the University Belt area, West Sampaloc, City of Manila, is a nonsectarian, private university in the Philippines. Created by the merger of Far Eastern College and the Institute of Accounts, Business and Finance, FEU became a university in 1934 under the guidance of...
point guard
Point guard
Point guard , also called the play maker or "the ball-handler", is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. A point guard has perhaps the most specialized role of any position – essentially, he is expected to run the team's offense by controlling the ball and making sure that...
Johnny Abarrientos, an energetic and exciting little man who can drive to the basket against taller opponents. The Milkmen never won a trophy during their '93 campaign.
In 1994
1994 PBA season
The 1994 PBA season was the 20th season of the Philippine Basketball Association .-Season Highlights:The San Miguel Beermen won the All-Filipino championship over Coney Island and represented the country in the 1994 Asian Games. Amateur standouts Marlou Aquino and Kenneth Duremdes join the RP-San...
, Alaska acquired Bong "The Hawk" Hawkins from Sta. Lucia
Sta. Lucia Realtors
The Sta. Lucia Realtors was a professional basketball team in the Philippine Basketball Association.The Universal Robina Corporation team is one of the founding members of the PBA. Formerly known as Great Taste and Presto-Tivoli Ice Cream, they have won a total of 6 championships. Sta...
which helped him resurrect his career. Alaska lost to Purefoods in the Commissioner's Cup Finals. In the Governor's Cup, Alaska defeated Swift to win their third PBA title with Abarrientos, Lastimosa, Hawkins, and import Sean Chambers leading the team.
In 1995, Alaska got Jeffrey Cariaso from the draft and added center Edward Juinio to the team.
Alaska made it to the Finals of all conferences of 1995
1995 PBA season
The 1995 PBA season was the 21st season of the Philippine Basketball Association .-Season Highlights:*The PBA returned to the Araneta Coliseum, after a decade of absence, with the scheduled games on Friday being held at the Big Dome....
. In the All-Filipino, they lost a seven-game tussle against Sunkist
Pop Cola Panthers
The Pop Cola Panthers is a former Philippine Basketball Association team from 1990-2001 under the ownership of Cosmos Bottling Corporation, a subsidiary of RFM Corporation. Cosmos was sold to Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines, Inc., then-owned by San Miguel Corporation in 2001 which also includes the...
. In the rematch, the Ronnie Grandison-led Juicers once again powered the Derrick Hamilton-led Alaska to win the Commissioner's Cup crown. But in the Governor's Cup, the Milkmen overcame a 2-3 deficit to defeat San Miguel
San Miguel Beermen
The Petron Blaze Boosters is a professional basketball team in the Philippine Basketball Association. The team has been a member of the league since its inception in 1975 and hold the most PBA titles with 19.The team is owned by the Petron Corporation, a subsidiary of the Philippines' largest food...
in seven games with a strong performance by Lastimosa. Jeffrey Cariaso won Rookie of the Year honors at the end of this year.
1996 Grand Slam
In the All-Filipino Conference, the Milkmen defeated the Purefoods TJ Hotdogs team of Alvin PatrimonioAlvin Patrimonio
Alvin Vergara Patrimonio , nicknamed "The Captain" and "Captain Lionheart" is a retired Filipino professional basketball player from the Philippine Basketball Association and is the current team manager of his former team, the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants.Patrimonio holds several PBA records...
and Jerry Codiñera in five games. In the series-clincher, Jeffrey Cariaso was fouled in the final second on an inbound play by Bong "The Raven" Ravena, Purefood's baseline specialist at that time. Cariaso sank both free-throws to seal Alaska's first title of the year.
Their toughest championship series was in the Commissioner's Cup Finals against a tough Formula Shell
Shell Turbo Chargers
The Shell Turbo Chargers is a former Philippine Basketball Association team under the ownership of Pilipinas Shell Corporation. Shell has been a member of the PBA since 1985 until 2005 when the team filed for a leave of absence after the season. Shell sold its franchise to PBL team Welcoat Paints...
team of Benjie Paras, Victor Pablo, and import Kenny Redfield. After six grueling games, the Milkmen captured the seventh and final game to win their fifth title in franchise history with Johnny Abarrientos, Jojo Lastimosa and Bong Hawkins leading the team alongside import Sean Chambers, who came in to replace Derrick Hamilton midway through the conference.
Chambers returned for Alaska in the Governor's Cup and for the eighth straight time since 1994, Alaska was back in the Finals against crowd-favorite Ginebra San Miguel
Barangay Ginebra Kings
The Barangay Ginebra Kings is a professional basketball team of the Philippine Basketball Association founded in 1979 and owned by the Ginebra San Miguel, Inc., a subsidiary of the San Miguel Corporation...
who ousted sister team San Miguel
San Miguel Beermen
The Petron Blaze Boosters is a professional basketball team in the Philippine Basketball Association. The team has been a member of the league since its inception in 1975 and hold the most PBA titles with 19.The team is owned by the Petron Corporation, a subsidiary of the Philippines' largest food...
in the semis. But it was a one-sided affair as the Milkmen went to win the first three games of the series before defeating Ginebra in Game five to capture the feat.
By season's end, Hawkins, Lastimosa, and Cariaso were included in the Mythical team while Abarrientos became the smallest man in PBA history to capture the coveted Most Valuable Player award
Philippine Basketball Association Most Valuable Player award
The Philippine Basketball Association awards the Most Valuable Player award at the end of the season. The winner is selected via votes from the press, players, coaches and top PBA officials....
.
Post-grand slam
Alaska suffered one of the biggest losses prior to the 19971997 PBA season
The 1997 PBA season was the 23rd season of the Philippine Basketball Association .-Notable occurrences:*The entry of Fil-Americans in the PBA, for the first time in league history, the top two picks of the Annual Rookie draft was born outside the Philippines, the 6-9 Andrew John Seigle, a discovery...
season when Jeffrey Cariaso signed with new PBA franchise, Mobiline Phone Pals. The Milkmen failed to enter the semis of the All-Filipino Cup.
In the Commissioner's Cup, the first ten games of the tournament was bannered by former Ginebra import Sylvester Gray. He was eventually replaced by Kevin Holland and the Milkmen advanced to the Finals against Gordon's Gin Boars
Barangay Ginebra Kings
The Barangay Ginebra Kings is a professional basketball team of the Philippine Basketball Association founded in 1979 and owned by the Ginebra San Miguel, Inc., a subsidiary of the San Miguel Corporation...
. The Boars took a 3-0 series lead but Alaska managed to win the next two games to cut the deficit to 3-2. However, Gordon's won Game Six as Alaska fell short again.
In the Governor's Cup, they acquired veteran center Jack "The Ripper" Tanuan and the high-flying Kenneth Duremdes in exchange for Dwight Lago and Boyet Fernandez from Pop Cola
Pop Cola Panthers
The Pop Cola Panthers is a former Philippine Basketball Association team from 1990-2001 under the ownership of Cosmos Bottling Corporation, a subsidiary of RFM Corporation. Cosmos was sold to Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines, Inc., then-owned by San Miguel Corporation in 2001 which also includes the...
. The 24-year-old Duremdes became a perfect replacement for Cariaso and a perfect running mate for Lastimosa and Abarrientos. Alaska, with Chambers once again as import, defeated Purefoods to win the title in five games.
In 1998
1998 PBA season
The 1998 PBA season was the 24th season of the Philippine Basketball Association .-Season Highlights:*The PBA is in their toughest challenge for the year, with the formation of a new league called Metropolitan Basketball Association, backed by the giant network ABS-CBN, is perceived to be a threat...
, Alaska traded for former San Sebastian Star and slasher, Rodney Santos from the Purefoods TJ Hotdogs. Alaska then dominated the All-Filipino Cup and took on San Miguel in the finals. The Beermen led 3-2 after a strong showing by Nelson Asaytono in game five. But, Alaska won the next two games to capture another title.
Dreadlock-sporting Devin Davis powered Alaska in the Commissioner's Cup, winning Best Import honors. The team advanced to the finals in a rematch against the Beermen. Duremdes was named as the Best Player of the Conference while defeating San Miguel in six games for their ninth title despite losing Bong Hawkins to a season-ending injury.
Already, several people were hyping a possible 'Grand Slam II' for the team. But, with the 1998 Asian Games
1998 Asian Games
The 13th Asian Games were held from December 6 to December 20, 1998 in Bangkok, Thailand. This was the first time that Thailand bid for the event after it shouldered the two postponed hosting rights in 1970 and 1978.-Emblem:...
set in December and Cone
Tim Cone
Earl Timothy Cone, better known as Tim Cone, is an American head coach of B-Meg Llamados in the Philippine Basketball Association. He is known for leading the Aces to 13 PBA titles in its franchise history while leading the 1996 Milkmen to a rare PBA Grandslam. He also once coached the Philippine...
was named head coach, he tapped Abarrientos, Duremdes, and Lastimosa to lead the Philippine team.
Assistants Jun Reyes and Dickey Bachmann took over for Alaska. But despite a strong showing from the slasher Rodney Santos and their resident shooter, Rhoel Gomez, the Milkmen failed to enter the semis of both the special 1998 PBA Centennial Cup
1998 PBA Centennial Cup
-See also:* 1998 PBA season...
and the season-ending Governor's Cup.
Duremdes was named the Most Valuable Player at the end of the year, the second Alaska Milkman to win the coveted individual award.
With the arrival of some talented Filipino-American cagers in the league, the Milkmen opted to stick with the same core for the 1999
1999 PBA season
The 1999 PBA season was the 25th season of the Philippine Basketball Association .-Notable occurrences:*The league transferred from the Cuneta Astrodome to the PhilSports Arena as their main playing venue....
season. In the All-Filipino, the Milkmen was eliminated by expansion team Tanduay
Tanduay Rhum Masters
The Tanduay Rhum Masters is a former Manila Industrial and Commercial Athletic Association , Philippine Basketball Association and Philippine Basketball League basketball team.-History:...
in the semis.
In the Commissioner's Cup, Devin Davis made his return to the team, but the young San Miguel team of Danny Ildefonso
Danny Ildefonso
Danilo Ildefonso is a Filipino professional basketball player for the Petron Blaze Boosters in the Philippine Basketball Association. Nicknamed Danny I and The Demolition Man, Ildefonso is a two-time PBA Most Valuable Player in 2000 and 2001...
and Danny Seigle
Danny Seigle
Daniel Charles Seigle is a Filipino American professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association for the Barako Bull Energy. A 6'6", 205-lb. swingman, he is fondly called Dynamite Danny and Danny S. by many...
conspired with their import, Terquin Mott, to eliminate the Aces in five games. They finished third in the tournament.
Alaska advanced to the Finals of the Governor's Cup with Chambers at the helm but San Miguel, led by Lamont "The Helicopter" Strothers, defeated the Milkmen in six games despite Alaska getting an early 2-1 series lead.
In 2000
2000 PBA season
The 2000 PBA season was the 26th of the Philippine Basketball Association .-Notable occurrences:*PBA's TV partner, Vintage Television was absorbed by Viva Entertainment.*Batang Red Bull Energizers entered the league as an expansion team....
, Jojo Lastimosa was traded to Pop Cola as part of the team's future plan to rebuild. Alaska won their 10th PBA title at the expense of Purefoods in the All-Filipino Conference. Purefoods won Game one of this series but the Milkmen won the next four games to win the series.
The Milkmen failed to enter the Finals of the Commissioner's Cup after they were eliminated by the Beermen in the semi-finals.
2000–Present: Alaska Aces
As part of the league's move to strengthen its marketing through the PBA Properties, Alaska adopted a new moniker in the Alaska Aces (curiosly, the PBA team came up with the "Alaska Aces" name first, since the Anchorage Aces of Anchorage, AlaskaAnchorage, Alaska
Anchorage is a unified home rule municipality in the southcentral part of the U.S. state of Alaska. It is the northernmost major city in the United States...
was renamed only on 2003) replaced its original logo and uniforms to a more cartoonish-look which they still have today. Despite the change, however, Alaska failed to reach the Finals of the Governor's Cup once again.
Before the 2001
2001 PBA season
The 2001 PBA season was the 27th season of the Philippine Basketball Association .-Notable occurrences:*During the preseason, Tanduay made soundwaves in the PBA when they signed Danny Ildefonso of corporate rival San Miguel Beermen a whopping 16-year, 98 million peso offersheet...
season, the Aces traded popular star Johnny Abarrientos to the Pop Cola Panthers
Pop Cola Panthers
The Pop Cola Panthers is a former Philippine Basketball Association team from 1990-2001 under the ownership of Cosmos Bottling Corporation, a subsidiary of RFM Corporation. Cosmos was sold to Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines, Inc., then-owned by San Miguel Corporation in 2001 which also includes the...
for forward Ali Peek and guard Jon Ordonio. In the draft, Alaska used the fifth pick to draft fil-am John Arigo. The Aces also signed Duremdes to a reported 48 million peso deal for seven years.
In the All-Filipino, the Aces were eliminated in the quarterfinals by Abarrientos and Pop Cola. In the Commissioners Cup, a strong showing by Peek gave defending champion San Miguel a fight but still loss in five games of the semis. In the Governors Cup, they were eliminated in the quarterfinals.
Chambers retired three games into the Governors Cup. In a simple ceremony, the Aces retired his #20 jersey, becoming the second player in team history to have his number retired.
Duremdes was borrowed by the Philippine National Team in 2002
2002 PBA season
-Notable occurrences:*The Tanduay Rhum Masters left the league after three seasons. Their franchise was taken over by the FedEx Express.*Republic Flour Mills sold its subsidiary COSMOS Bottlers Corporation to food company giant San Miguel Corporation. The move also absorbed the Pop Cola Panthers,...
and Lastimosa made his return to Alaska. The Aces, with Ron Riley and Montreal Dobbins as imports, but after 6 games, Dobbins was replaced by James Head, advanced to the finals of the Governor's Cup against Purefoods. The Aces led 2-0 in the seven game series, but the TJ Hotdogs won the next three games. After Alaska tied it up in Game Six, Purefoods won Game seven to deny the Aces its 11th title. In the Commissioner's Cup, Ajani Williams and Chris Carawell bannered the Aces but was eliminated by Talk N' Text in the semi-finals. Duremdes returned for the Aces in the All-Filipino and made it to the finals. After winning Game 1, the Aces lost the next three games to settle another runner-up finish.
In the 2003
2003 PBA season
The 2003 PBA Season was the 29th season of the Philippine Basketball Association .-Notable occurrences:*The NBN/IBC consortium took over the league's TV coverage after winning the TV rights over the league's longtime TV partner Vintage Television in December 2002.*Noli Eala became the league's...
PBA Draft, Alaska shocked the league by trading their superstar, Kenneth Duremdes to the Sta. Lucia Realtors
Sta. Lucia Realtors
The Sta. Lucia Realtors was a professional basketball team in the Philippine Basketball Association.The Universal Robina Corporation team is one of the founding members of the PBA. Formerly known as Great Taste and Presto-Tivoli Ice Cream, they have won a total of 6 championships. Sta...
for the fifth pick of the first round. This enabled Alaska to get Brandon Cablay as the team's top draft pick.
The Aces also held the first overall pick in the draft and selected De La Salle University-Manila
De La Salle University-Manila
De La Salle University is a private Lasallian university in Malate, Manila, Philippines. It was founded in 1911 by De La Salle Brothers as the De La Salle College in Paco, Manila with Blimond Pierre serving as its first director...
star point guard
Point guard
Point guard , also called the play maker or "the ball-handler", is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. A point guard has perhaps the most specialized role of any position – essentially, he is expected to run the team's offense by controlling the ball and making sure that...
Mike Cortez
Mike Cortez
Mike Cortez is a professional basketball player for the Barangay Ginebra Kings in the Philippine Basketball Association. Cortez gained prominence in the amateur ranks for the De La Salle Green Archers in the UAAP and the ICTSI Archers in the Philippine Basketball League...
, who was considered as the next great point guard in the Alaska franchise's history, following Johnny Abarrientos.
During halftime of their season opening game, Alaska retired Jojo Lastimosa's #6 jersey. During the offseason, Lastimosa announced his retirement
Retirement
Retirement is the point where a person stops employment completely. A person may also semi-retire by reducing work hours.Many people choose to retire when they are eligible for private or public pension benefits, although some are forced to retire when physical conditions don't allow the person to...
after playing 15 seasons in the league. He is currently one of the team's assistant coaches.
In the All-Filipino, Alaska failed in its bid to enter the Finals as they were eliminated by Talk 'N Text in a grueling five-game series. However, the Aces won the third place trophy via a blowout in expense of San Miguel Beer.
In the Invitational tournament, Alaska had to play in the qualifying round to enter the tournament. The Aces swept the elimination round, winning all four of its games, to make it to the semis. In a one-game showdown, Alaska defeated Red Bull Barako to face Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola Tigers
The Powerade Tigers is a professional basketball team of the Philippine Basketball Association founded in 2002 when the then-San Miguel Corporation-owned Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines bought the RFM-owned Cosmos Bottling Corporation. In 2006, the Atlanta-based Coca-Cola Company under the Coca-Cola...
in the Finals.
The Tigers won Game One of the series, but the Aces won the next two games to win their 11th PBA title, this time with a different set of players. Brandon Cablay was named as Finals MVP, while Ali Peek won Best Player of the Conference honors.
In the Reinforced Conference, Alaska struggled in the tournament and was eliminated by Duremdes and Sta. Lucia in the quarters.
Alaska paraded former NBA
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
journeyman Galen Young for the 2004 Fiesta Conference. The Aces placed second after the elimination round of the tournament. But, they failed to enter the finals of the said tournament winning only one game in three outings in the semi-finals.
In the 2004–05 season, the Aces managed to finished fourth in the qualifying round. After eliminating FedEx in the Wild-Card phase, they were swept by San Miguel in the quarters. During the tournament, Arigo and Peek were shipped to Coca-Cola for Jeffrey Cariaso and Reynel Hugnatan. Bong Hawkins also made his return to the Aces, reuniting him with Cariaso, assistant coach Jojo Lastimosa, and Cone.
Alaska hired Leon Derricks for the Fiesta Conference. However, his inconsistent game led to his replacement by former Chicago Bull
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
Dickey Simpkins. The addition of Simpkins helped Alaska climbed into third place at the end of the classification round. The Aces faced San Miguel Beer in the semis. A back injury sustained by Simpkins, after being elbowed in the back by Dorian Peña, prevented him from playing at full strength during the series. Former Alaska Ace, Bryan Gahol, hit the last second shot in Game three to eliminate Alaska from the tournament.
2005–06 season
Prior to the start of the 2005–06 PBA season, the Aces built up their lineup by acquiring national team pool members, Tony dela Cruz and Rich Alvarez from the disbanding Shell Turbo ChargersShell Turbo Chargers
The Shell Turbo Chargers is a former Philippine Basketball Association team under the ownership of Pilipinas Shell Corporation. Shell has been a member of the PBA since 1985 until 2005 when the team filed for a leave of absence after the season. Shell sold its franchise to PBL team Welcoat Paints...
. The Aces also acquired the services of former Mobiline and Coca-Cola import Artemus "Tee" McClary for the Fiesta Conference.
After the Aces placed second behind Team Pilipinas in the Brunei Sultan's Cup, with Dela Cruz playing for the said team, the team was considered as one of the top contenders to win the upcoming season.
However, the Aces went on a slide after a good start. After Alaska blowing a 28-point lead and losing to the Purefoods Chunkee Giants, the team went on a downhill since. With McClary's decline starting to show, he was eventually replaced by the 3-point shooting Odell Bradley who showed some impressive scoring outputs. However, Alaska still finished seventh in the classification phase with a 7-9 record.
The Aces swept Sta. Lucia in a best-of-three matchup in the wildcard phase before being swept in a best-of-five affair by eventual champion Red Bull Barako.
Weeks before the start of the Philippine Cup, Alaska traded Brandon Cablay to San Miguel in exchange for veteran Nic Belasco. On May 8, 2006, the Aces traded Don Allado to Talk 'N Text for guard Willie Miller and forward John Ferriols. Alaska finished with a 9-7 record in the classifications, thus earning an outright berth in the quarterfinals. In the quarterfinals, the Aces defeated the Coca-Cola Tigers, with former Alaska star Johnny Abarrientos
Johnny Abarrientos
Johnny Abarrientos is a retired Filipino professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association. He was also a many-time member of the Philippine National team, and was the 1996 PBA MVP, becoming the shortest player to win the league's highest individual award.He is known by many...
on the squad, 3-1. The opening game of the series saw Alaska winning on a last second three-pointer by Nic Belasco
Nic Belasco
Nicholas Belasco better known as Nic Belasco, is a professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association who last played for the Sta. Lucia Realtors. He was drafted 2nd overall by Sunkist in 1997.-Player Profile:Belasco is one of the many reliable big men in the league...
.
In the semi-finals against top-seed Purefoods Chunkee Giants, the Aces led 3-1 and was a win away from a finals berth but failed to win all of the remaining games. Alaska would end the tournament on a winning note, capturing the third place trophy with a 102-95 win over San Miguel, their 12th third-place finish in team history.
2006–07 season: Fiesta Conference Champions
Head coach Tim ConeTim Cone
Earl Timothy Cone, better known as Tim Cone, is an American head coach of B-Meg Llamados in the Philippine Basketball Association. He is known for leading the Aces to 13 PBA titles in its franchise history while leading the 1996 Milkmen to a rare PBA Grandslam. He also once coached the Philippine...
signed a contract extension to remain with the team, erasing speculation of his possible dismissal. In the 2006 PBA Draft
2006 PBA Draft
The 2006 Philippine Basketball Association Rookie Draft is an event, which allows teams to draft players from the amateur ranks. The event was held at Market! Market! in Taguig City on August 20, 2006. The Sta. Lucia Realtors chose Kelly Williams of Oakland University and PBL-Magnolia as the first...
, Alaska selected Letran
Colegio de San Juan de Letran
The Colegio de San Juan de Letran, Letran College, or simply Letran is a private Roman Catholic institution of learning located in Intramuros, Manila, in the Philippines. The college was founded in 1620. Colegio de San Juan de Letran has the distinction of being the oldest college in the...
's Aaron Aban and UST
University of Santo Tomas
The Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, The Catholic University of the Philippines , is a private Roman Catholic university run by the Order of Preachers in Manila. Founded on April 28, 1611 by archbishop of Manila Miguel de Benavides, it has the oldest extant university charter in the...
's Christian Luanzon.
Alaska started the 2006–07 PBA Philippine Cup poorly but rebounded to finish with an 8-10 record for a wildcard berth. After losing in a last-second overtime thriller against Coca-Cola, and a win by Sta. Lucia on the next game date eliminated Alaska from contention despite winning their last game against Sta. Lucia.
Injuries to Reynel Hugnatan and Mike Cortez affected the team's play throughout the said conference.
However, Alaska started the 2007 PBA Fiesta Conference
2007 PBA Fiesta Conference
-Barangay Ginebra-San Miguel series:-Talk 'N Text-Air21 series:-Red Bull-Talk 'N Text series:-Alaska-San Miguel series:-Third-place playoff:-Finals:Prior to Game 1, Sandwich performed "Laban kung Laban," the TV theme song of the PBA....
with a 7-4 card before the All-Star break, with Roselle Ellis as their import. Shooting Guard, Willie Miller provided a strong performance for the Aces during the tournament posting numerous 20 point-games.
The return of Cortez sparked a late surge by the team by finishing with a 12-6 record and beat Ginebra in a one-game playoff to earn an outright semifinals berth.
After eliminating the San Miguel Beermen in the semifinals via a 4-2 series win, the Aces entered the finals for a 19th time to meet the Talk 'N Text Phone Pals.
Despite a 1-2 and a 2-3 deficit in the titular showdown, Miller, named the league's Most Valuable Player, erupted for 29 points to tie the series in Game 4 and recovered from a dismal performance in Game 5 with a sterling 37-point output in Game 6 to force a decider.
The seventh game was a seesaw battle before Miller fired a go-ahead layup and a Reynel Hugnatan freethrow in the last two minutes to seal a 99-96 championship win for Alaska.
During this season, American author and journalist Rafe Bartholomew followed the team as part of a Fulbright Scholarship study on basketball in the Philippines. The story of the team, along with other anecdotes from his time in the country, was made into a book, titled Pacific Rims and published in the spring of 2011.
2007–08 season
Alaska picked Adamson stalwart, Ken Bono, and University of Visayas Green Lancers starting center, JR "Baby Shaq" Quiñahan as the 6th and 7th overall picks of the 2007 PBA Draft2007 PBA Draft
The 2007 Philippine Basketball Association Rookie Draft is an event, which will allow teams to draft players from the amateur ranks. The event was held at Market! Market! in Taguig City on August 19, 2007...
along with second round selection Ardy Larong.
In order to free up some cap spaces, the team traded veteran forward Nic Belasco
Nic Belasco
Nicholas Belasco better known as Nic Belasco, is a professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association who last played for the Sta. Lucia Realtors. He was drafted 2nd overall by Sunkist in 1997.-Player Profile:Belasco is one of the many reliable big men in the league...
to Welcoat in exchange for Junjun Cabatu while signing free agent Ariel Capus.
In the 2007–08 Philippine Cup, the Aces lost at the semis against Sta. Lucia.
Before the start of the Fiesta Conference, Alaska acquired former King Blue Eagles L.A. Tenorio and Larry Fonacier in exchange for ace point guard Mike Cortez and 1st round draft pick Ken Bono. They also tapped former Chicago Bull and Talk 'N Text import Randy Holcomb as their reinforcement to help them defend the crown. Alaska, started slowly winning only 2 of their 6 matches including a 4-game losing streak. Then came a rumor that Holcomb will be replaced by former Milwaukee Buck Daniel Santiago. However, it was confirmed that the rumors were not true and they were not in negotiations with the Puerto Rico national team starting center. Alaska came on to a conference high 6-game winning streak and made their record to 8-6 and had a chance of getting a semi-final seat.
In their 2nd round game against Magnolia, Alaska was trailing along the way until the final minute which they came in and even grabbed the lead, but Alaska's semi-final dream came to an end when a call by the referee with 0.3 seconds left caused them the game. Tied at 99 all, former Alaska Ace Mike Cortez split his freethrows to give Magnolia a one point lead. However, Larry Fonacier's jumper went in front of the rim as time expired and Magnolia escaped with a nail-biting 100-99 win over the defending champions.
2008–09 season: On the road to 13th title
In the 2008 Annual Rookie Draft held on August 31, 2008 at Market! Market!, Taguig City, Alaska drafted scoring guard Solomon Mercado at fifth in the first round and grabbing Mapúa star Kelvin dela Peña at fifteenth in the second round. A day after the draft, the team acquired 2007 first overall pick and team leading scorer Joe Devance from Rain or Shine (formerly Welcoat Dragons) in exchange for Solomon Mercado and wingman Eddie Laure.On September 4, 2008, the team signed 2004 7th overall pick Ervin Sotto. While on September 22, 2008, Alaska traded JR Quiñahan to the Air21 Express in exchange for 2008 6th overall pick Mark Borboran. Meanwhile, the team also signed veteran 6-9 Eric Canlas through free agency.
The Aces started their campaign on their quest for their 4th All-Filipino crown on a high note including a 4-0 start. They struggled in the middle part of the conference but still remained the leader in the standings. Alaska finished as the number one team after the elimination round winning 12 games in 18 matches and was the first team to secure a seat in the Semifinals giving them a long rest. After three weeks of waiting, they faced the defending Philippine Cup champion Sta. Lucia Realtors, a re-match of last year's Semifinals which went to a seven-game grueling series. The Realtors swept the depleted-lineup of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the Quarterfinals. The Aces beat the defending champion Realtors in six games to advance and arranged a Finals showdown with the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters. They had a 2-0 lead first but Talk 'N Text tied the series 2-2. In Game 5, Alaska won 95-93 courtesy by Willie Miller's tough three point shot. In Game 6, Talk 'N Text tied the series 3-3 to force a Game 7. In Game 7, they had a chance to win the title but the missed free throws during the crucial seconds of the game by Miller and Joe Devance gave Talk 'N Text the win and the title, 93-89.
2009–10 season: two straight Finals appearances and their 13th title
In the All-Filipino Cup, Alaska started strong and finished in first place in the standings, earning them an automatic semi-final seat. Willie Miller led the Aces in scoring with LA Tenorio continued to blossom for the Aces. Alaska swept Ginebra in the semi-finals and met Purefoods for the championship, who defeated San Miguel in six games.Despite Alaska's strong output during the eliminations, Purefoods swept them in the finals, including three straight game heart-breaking losses.
Alaska paraded import Diamon Simpson in the Fiesta Conference. Simpson, who played for the Los Angeles D-Fenders
Los Angeles D-Fenders
The Los Angeles D-Fenders are a NBA Development League team based in Los Angeles, California. Founded in 2006, the team is owned by the Los Angeles Lakers, which became the first National Basketball Association franchise to own a D-League team...
, a former NBA D-League team and affiliate of back-to-back NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
before coming to the PBA, was very impressive and fitted perfectly in to Tim Cone's Triangle System. He nearly averaged 30 points and 20 rebounds a game and made Alaska to be the favorites to win it all in the import-laden conference.
In the middle of the conference, leading scorer Willie Miller was traded to the Barangay Ginebra Kings
Barangay Ginebra Kings
The Barangay Ginebra Kings is a professional basketball team of the Philippine Basketball Association founded in 1979 and owned by the Ginebra San Miguel, Inc., a subsidiary of the San Miguel Corporation...
in exchange for high flyer Cyrus Baguio. It was rumored that Miller wanted out of Alaska before the season started. After the trade was approved and made, in a coincidence, Alaska's next game was against Ginebra. In that game, the Aces trailed most of the game until in the fourth quarter when Cyrus Baguio finally exploded for 14 points and showed his talents to lead Alaska to a comeback win. The Aces put team captain Jeffrey Cariaso
Jeffrey Cariaso
Jeffrey J. Cariaso is a retired Filipino professional basketball player of the Philippine Basketball Association. He is the former starting off-guard for the Alaska Aces.-Alaska:...
in the reserve list in what would have been his retirement but a few games after, Cariaso returned and played again. Alaska also signed veteran guard Topex Robinson
Topex Robinson
Michael Christoper Robinson is a former Filipino professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association. He was drafted forty-fourth overall by the Tanduay Rhum Masters.- Player Profile :Robinson is a solid and a defensive point guard...
during the season.
Alaska met rival Talk N Text in the semi-finals. LA Tenorio was awarded as the Most Improved Player in the league. Former Alaska point guard Johnny Abarrientos
Johnny Abarrientos
Johnny Abarrientos is a retired Filipino professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association. He was also a many-time member of the Philippine National team, and was the 1996 PBA MVP, becoming the shortest player to win the league's highest individual award.He is known by many...
announced his retirement after playing 15 seasons in the league. The Aces defeated the Tropang Texters in a grueling seven-game series despite being down 2-3. The Aces met top seed San Miguel Beer led by best import Gabe Freeman
Gabe Freeman
Gabriel Freeman is an American professional basketball player who plays for the London Lightning of the National Basketball League of Canada...
in the finals. The Aces dominated the Beermen and won their 13th Championship in six games. LA Tenorio and Cyrus Baguio were named co-Finals MVP of the series.
At the end of the season, Jeffrey Cariaso
Jeffrey Cariaso
Jeffrey J. Cariaso is a retired Filipino professional basketball player of the Philippine Basketball Association. He is the former starting off-guard for the Alaska Aces.-Alaska:...
retired and Tony Dela Cruz was named the new captain of the team.
2010-11 season: The franchise's 25th anniversary
Before the season began, Alaska celebrated their 25th anniversary as a PBA franchise on September 28, 2010. During the commemoration, they have formally retired the jerseys of Bong HawkinsBong Hawkins
Rene Hawkins Jr. better known as "Bong Hawkins" is a retired Filipino professional basketball player of the Philippine Basketball Association. He is former starting forward for the Alaska Aces and he also played for Tivoli, Sta. Lucia, Tanduay and Coca-Cola.-Tivoli:He was drafted in 1991 by Presto...
(#16) and Johnny Abarrientos
Johnny Abarrientos
Johnny Abarrientos is a retired Filipino professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association. He was also a many-time member of the Philippine National team, and was the 1996 PBA MVP, becoming the shortest player to win the league's highest individual award.He is known by many...
(#14). Both players were instrumental for their grandslam finish
Grand Slam (PBA)
The Grand Slam in the Philippine Basketball Association refers to a PBA team who has won all three conferences in a single season. After the PBA reduced the number of conferences from three to two beginning in 2004, the term became quite obsolete to some...
in 1996
1996 PBA season
-Finals results:*PBA Governors Cup Finals: Alaska Milkmen def. Ginebra San Miguel , 4 games to 1.*Third place: Formula Shell -Finals results:*PBA Governors Cup Finals: (1) Alaska Milkmen (8-3) def. (4) Ginebra San Miguel (7-4), 4 games to 1.*Third place: Formula Shell -Finals results:*PBA...
.
The league decided to go back to the three-conference format: All-Filipino Cup, Commissioner's Cup and the Governor's Cup.
In the PBA Draft, Alaska traded shooter Larry Fonacier to Talk N Text in exchange for the fourth overall pick that led them to draft former UE Warrior Elmer Espiritu
Elmer Espiritu
Elmer Torres Espiritu is a Filipino professional basketball player who currently plays for the Shopinas.com Clickers in the Philippine Basketball Association. He played five seasons for the University of the East Red Warriors in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines from 2005 to...
. With Jeffrey Cariaso
Jeffrey Cariaso
Jeffrey J. Cariaso is a retired Filipino professional basketball player of the Philippine Basketball Association. He is the former starting off-guard for the Alaska Aces.-Alaska:...
retiring, the Aces traded their second round pick to Meralco for another former UE player Bonbon Custodio
Bonbon Custodio
Bonifacio Custodio, better known simply as Bonbon Custodio Bonifacio Custodio, better known simply as Bonbon Custodio Bonifacio Custodio, better known simply as Bonbon Custodio (born November 30, 1982 in Leyte, Philippines, is a Filipino professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball...
. Alaska used their second draft pick in the second round to get JRU's Marvin Hayes.
For the duration of the Philippine Cup, Alaska will wear their throwback
Throwback uniform
Throwback uniforms and jerseys are one-time or limited-time variations on a sports team's uniforms styled to resemble uniforms from that team's past. They have proven popular in all major pro and college sports in the USA, not only with fans, but with the teams' marketing and merchandising...
early 1990s light uniform temporary replacing their current light jersey.
Alaska finished the conference with a 7-7 record. Thanks to Joe Devance's improved play, it was enough for the Aces to be qualified in the quarterfinals. However, they were defeated by Ginebra in a do-or-die five games series despite leading 2-0 and up by 20 in game 5.
In the Commissioner's Cup, Alaska paraded former Chicago Bull Eddie Basden
Eddie Basden
Edward Richard Basden is an American professional basketball player who formerly played in the National Basketball Association ....
as their import for the upcoming conference. Before the conference started, Alaska played in Cebu for an Invitational Tournament that made them the champions in the said league. However, Basden failed to pass the height limit requirement for imports which was 6'4. Alaska quickly replaced him and got 2010 NBA D-League Slam Dunk Champion LD Williams. The Aces also traded long time bruiser Reynel Hugnatan
Reynel Hugnatan
Reynel Frances T. Hugnatan is a Filipino Professional basketball player of the Philippine Basketball Association...
to Meralco for young guns Hans Thiele
Hans Thiele
Hans Paul Thiele is a Filipino professional basketball player who is currently placed on the inactive list of the Alaska Aces in the Philippine Basketball Association. He was signed by the Energy Boosters in 2010 as a free agent. He was then traded to the Meralco Bolts for Dennis Daa...
and Paolo Bugia
Paolo Bugia
Ramon Paolo V. Bugia is a professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association who plays for the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters. He was drafted seventeenth overall by the Red Bull Barako in the 2005 PBA Draft.In his rookie year, He averaged 4.0 points per game and 2.6 rebounds...
and released Marvin Hayes. Alaska also signed guard Don Dulay
Don Dulay
Donald Dulay is a Filipino-American professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association who is on the inactive list of the Alaska Aces. He was an undrafted player but was later signed by Rain or Shine in 2007...
. Topex Robinson
Topex Robinson
Michael Christoper Robinson is a former Filipino professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association. He was drafted forty-fourth overall by the Tanduay Rhum Masters.- Player Profile :Robinson is a solid and a defensive point guard...
, who still has a live contract with Alaska, joined Tim Cone's crew as one of the assistant coaches of the team.
Before the Governor's Cup, Alaska traded rookie Elmer Espiritu to Air21 in exchange for swingman Wesley Gonzales
Wesley Gonzales
Wesley O. Gonzales is a Filipino professional basketball player. He currently plays for the Alaska Aces in the Philippine Basketball Association.-Player Profile:...
. Aces coach Tim Cone said that they were pursuing Gonzales since the last three years. On May 27, 2011, Alaska Aces was forced to let go of Joe Devance
Joe Devance
Joe Calvin Devance, Jr. is a Filipino-American professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association who currently plays for the B-Meg Llamados.-Welcoat Dragons:...
after the talented Fil-Am forward begged off. Team manager Joaqui Trillo, however, stressed Devance is guaranteed of the maximum pay through the end of his current contract next year. So, Alaska Management trade Joe Devance for Air21 Express' Jay-R Reyes
Jay-R Reyes
Jay-R Reyes is a Filipino professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association who currently plays for the Alaska Aces.-Rain or Shine:...
. On the next day, Commissioner Salud requested Air21 to add up another player or its 2011 first round pick as he finds the trade "uneven". The Express responded with the 2011 and 2012 second round picks making Salud nod in the deal. The Aces also signed PBA Veteran Aries Dimaunahan
Aries Dimaunahan
Aristeo Dimaunahan better known as Aris Dimaunahan is a Filipino professional basketball player who last played for the Alaska Aces in the Philippine Basketball Association.- Biography :...
.
Alaska had a tweak start losing their first two games but quickly bounced back winning four of their last five games. Thanks to import Jason Forte's hustle play who coach Tim Cone called as "underrated", the team's improved play led by LA Tenorio and Cyrus Baguio plus newcomer Wesley Gonzales' "real game" starting to pay off, the Aces qualified to the step ladder semifinals. The Aces finished with 8 wins in 13 outings including the semifinals despite losing key players Cyrus Baguio and Wesley Gonzales to an injury. But due to the controversial quotient system, Alaska failed to enter the finals with Petron having the superior quotient despite with the same records with Ginebra and the Aces itself.
2011-12 Tim Cone era ends; Joel Banal succeeds
Alaska decided to release Paolo Bugia, Don Dulay and Mike Burtscher. While former USTUST
UST is a three letter acronym that may refer to:* Equatorial Guinea Workers' Union* Hong Kong University of Science and Technology * Northeast Florida Regional Airport in St...
guard Aries Dimaunahan returned to Shopinas Clickers where his rights are based.
Last August 28, 2011 at the PBA Rookie Draft, Alaska picked former FEU main man and Smart-Gilas standout Mac Baracael at sixth overall during the first round. In the second round, the Aces have four picks and used it to get former Blue Eagle leading scorer Eric Salamat at the 13th, mystery Fil-Am Julius Pasculado at the 14th, and big man Ariel Mepana at the 15th. The Aces also owned the 17th pick but decided to trade it to Meralco for its 2014 second round pick.
On September 1, 2011 Alaska made a rare press conference and shocked the basketball industry to announce that after 22 years of coaching the Alaska Aces, Tim Cone resigns as head coach of the Aces. Alaska team owmer Wilfred Steven Uytengsu said that the legendary head coach is leaving Alaska to seek opportunities outside of the organization. He is succeeded by his lead assistant Joel Banal who inked a three year deal to lead the team.
As of now, Alaska has signed rookies Mac Baracael to a three-year deal and Eric Salamat to a two-year contract. While Fil-Am Julius Pasculado and Ariel Mepaña have signed a one-year contract each. Wesley Gonzales
Wesley Gonzales
Wesley O. Gonzales is a Filipino professional basketball player. He currently plays for the Alaska Aces in the Philippine Basketball Association.-Player Profile:...
and Brandon Cablay
Brandon Cablay
Brandon Lee Kaui Cablay is a Filipino- American professional basketball player currently playing for the Alaska Aces in the Philippine Basketball Association. He started his career in the PBA in 2003 as a member of the Alaska Aces. He won his first PBA championship in the 2003 PBA Invitational...
were given new contracts while the team decided not to re-new the contract of Mark Borboran.
Season-by-season records
- Records from the 2010–11 PBA season:
*one-game playoffsConf. |Team name | Elimination round | Playoffs Finish |W |L |PCT |Stage |Results PHI 2010–11 PBA Philippine Cup-San Miguel vs. Air21:-B-Meg Derby Ace-Meralco series:-Barangay Ginebra-Alaska series:-Talk 'N Text-B-Meg Derby Ace series:-San Miguel-Barangay Ginebra series:-Finals:-Conference records:-Team:-Individual:-Conference:...
Alaska Aces 6th/10 7 7 .500 Quarterfinals Barangay Ginebra Barangay Ginebra KingsThe Barangay Ginebra Kings is a professional basketball team of the Philippine Basketball Association founded in 1979 and owned by the Ginebra San Miguel, Inc., a subsidiary of the San Miguel Corporation...
2, Alaska 1COM 2011 PBA Commissioner's Cup-Air21-Alaska series:-Talk 'N Text-Air21 series:-Smart Gilas-Barangay Ginebra series:-Finals:- Imports :The following is the list of imports, which had played for their respective teams at least once, with the returning imports in italics...
5th/10 5 4 .556 Quarterfinals Air21 Air21 ExpressThe Barako Bull Energy is a Philippine Basketball Association team that began in 2002.Barako Bull is owned by Energy Food and Drinks Inc., a subsidiary of the Linaheim Corporate Services, owners of the defunct Laguna Lakers of the Metropolitan Basketball Association...
2, Alaska 1GOV 2011 PBA Governors Cup- Imports :The following is the list of imports, which had played for their respective teams at least once, with the returning imports in italics. Highlighted are the imports who stayed with their respective teams for the entire conference....
9th/9 5 3 .625 Semifinals 3rd overall (8–5), 3–2 in semifinals Total elimination round 17 14 1 semifinal appearance Total playoffs 5 6 .455 |0 Finals appearances Total 2010–11 22 20 .524 |0 championships Total franchise 781 633 .552 |13 championships
**team had the twice-to-beat advantage
PBA's 25th anniversary all-time team
- Johnny AbarrientosJohnny AbarrientosJohnny Abarrientos is a retired Filipino professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association. He was also a many-time member of the Philippine National team, and was the 1996 PBA MVP, becoming the shortest player to win the league's highest individual award.He is known by many...
– "The Flying A" played for team from 1993–2000; led Alaska to numerous PBA title and was the 1996 PBA Most Valuable Player - Bogs AdornadoBogs AdornadoWilliam "Bogs" Adornado is a former Filipino athlete who played basketball in both the amateur and professional ranks. He made his mark playing in the Philippine Basketball Association from 1975 to 1987...
– played for Hills Bros. in the 1987 season; became the team's head coach after his retirement - Kenneth DuremdesKenneth DuremdesKenneth Duremdes is a Filipino professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association who currently plays for the Powerade Tigers...
– "Captain Marbel" played for the team from 1996–2003; led Alaska to four PBA titles and was the 1998 PBA Most Valuable Player - Abet GuidabenAbet GuidabenAlberto "Abet" Guidaben is a former Philippine Basketball Association basketball player. He was part of the fabled Crispa Redmanizers ballclub that won two Grand Slams, in 1976 and 1983...
– played for the team from 1989–1990 before being traded to Pepsi for Harmon Codiñera. - Jojo LastimosaJojo LastimosaIsabelo Lastimosa, Jr. , better known as Jojo Lastimosa and by his nickname "Jolas", is a former Filipino professional basketball player from Cagayan de Oro City who played in the Philippine Basketball Association for the Purefoods TJ Hotdogs, the Alaska Aces and the Pop Cola Panthers from 1988-2003...
– "The 4th Quarter Man" led Alaska to nine PBA titles and was named to numerous Mythical Team selections
MVP awardee when still with the team
- Johnny Abarrientos - 1996
- Kenneth Duremdes - 1998
- Willie Miller - 2007 - He wish for a trade and he left the team.
Not to be forgotten
- Aaron AbanAaron AbanAaron Abril G. Aban , better known as Aaron Aban, is a Filipino professional basketball player who currently plays for the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters in the Philippine Basketball Association. Born in Cagayan de Oro City and went to Colegio de San Juan de Letran in college...
- Teddy Alfarero – one of the best centers of his time during his amateur days.
- Alejo "Pongky" Alolor
- Willie Pearson – 1984 Rookie of the year.
- Rey Lazaro
- Cresencio "Dondon" Ampalayo – he was most popular during his days with Ginebra.
- Peter Aguilar
- Dino Aldeguer
- Don Carlos AlladoDon AlladoDon Carlos Allado is a Filipino professional basketball player currently playing for the Barako Bull Energy in the Philippine Basketball Association....
– played for Alaska from 1999–2006; member of the 2000 All-Filipino and 2003 Invitational tournament championship teams - Eric AltamiranoEric AltamiranoEric Altamirano is a former Filipino basketball player. He is currently the head coach of the National University Bulldogs.-Early career:...
- Bong Alvarez – "Mr. Excitement" scored a then-PBA record 71 points for Alaska
- Richard AlvarezRich AlvarezRichard D. "Rich" Alvarez is a Filipino professional basketball player and currently playing for the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters of the Philippine Basketball Association. Alvarez was the first overall pick of 2004 PBA Draft by the Shell Turbo Chargers...
– 2004-2005 rookie of the year, played for Alaska from 2006-2007 - Josel Angeles
- Alex Araneta – the #1 draft pick in 1991.
- John ArigoJohn ArigoJohn Hartley Ward Arigo , in Charleston, South Carolina, is a Filipino-American former professional basketball player for three teams in the Philippine Basketball Association. He was drafted 5th overall by the Alaska Aces in January of 2001 while in his senior year of playing NCAA Division II...
– played for Alaska from 2001–2005; member of the 2003 Invitational tournament championship team; PBA Mythical 1st Team (2003) - Dicky Bachmann - played for Alaska and is the current assistant coach of the team
- Cyrus BaguioCyrus BaguioCyrus Baguio is a professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association for the Alaska Aces. He is a former stalwart of the UST Growling Tigers during his college tenure with the team. The former UST star was known for his open court forays and one-on-one skills...
- 2004 slam dunk champion,2009 POWERADE RP team member, 2010 Commissioners Cup Finals MVP and Sportsmanship Award , - Rensy Bajar – member of 2006–2007 Fiesta Conference Champions
- Nic BelascoNic BelascoNicholas Belasco better known as Nic Belasco, is a professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association who last played for the Sta. Lucia Realtors. He was drafted 2nd overall by Sunkist in 1997.-Player Profile:Belasco is one of the many reliable big men in the league...
- member of 2006–2007 Fiesta Conference Champions - Cris Bolado – played for Alaska during its title runs in the 1990s; most notably known as being the team's 12th man; known for his nine straight finals appearance with multiple teams, including the Milkmen
- Ken BonoKen BonoKarl Kenneth O. Bono , better known as Ken Bono, is a Filipino basketball player, selected sixth overall by the Alaska Aces in the 2007 PBA Draft...
– 2006 UAAP Most Valuable Player - Mark BorboranMark BorboranMark Anthony Rosales Borboran is a Filipino professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association who currently plays for the Meralco Bolts....
- Mike Burtcher - 2009 5th overall pick
- Boy CabahugBoy CabahugElmer "Boy" Cabahug , is a retired Filipino professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association and the former head coach of the University of the Visayas Green Lancers varsity team....
– the 1989 PBA All Star MVP and current head coach of University of Visayas - Junjun CabatuJunjun CabatuSantiago Cabatu, Jr. , better known as Junjun Cabatu, is a Filipino professional basketball player for the Philippine Patriots. Known by many because of his father Santiago "Sonny" Cabatu, Sr., who is a former PBA player and was the very first draft pick of the league in 1985. He played high school...
- Brandon CablayBrandon CablayBrandon Lee Kaui Cablay is a Filipino- American professional basketball player currently playing for the Alaska Aces in the Philippine Basketball Association. He started his career in the PBA in 2003 as a member of the Alaska Aces. He won his first PBA championship in the 2003 PBA Invitational...
- 2003 PBA Invitational Conference Finals MVP, SlamDunk Champion - Celedon Camaso
- Ronnie Cahanding
- Johnedel Cardel
- Merwin Castello – member of the 1996 Alaska Championship team
- Alvin Castro – member of the 2003 Invitational Champions and the 2006–2007 Fiesta Conference Champions
- Ed Cordero
- Elmer Espiritu - 2010 3rd overall pick
- Bon Bon Custodio
- Harmon Codiñiera
- Tim Coloso
- Mike CortezMike CortezMike Cortez is a professional basketball player for the Barangay Ginebra Kings in the Philippine Basketball Association. Cortez gained prominence in the amateur ranks for the De La Salle Green Archers in the UAAP and the ICTSI Archers in the Philippine Basketball League...
– 2003 1st overall pick, member of the 2003 Invitational Cup and 2007 Fiesta Conference Champions, PBA Mythical 2nd team (2004, 2007) - Tony dela CruzTony dela CruzAnthony Bryan B. dela Cruz , better known simply as Tony dela Cruz, is a Filipino professional basketball player for the Alaska Aces in the Philippine Basketball Association....
- Kelvin dela PeñaKelvin dela PeñaKelvin dela Peña is a Filipino-Canadian professional basketball athlete. He has suited up for the Alaska Aces of the Philippine Basketball Association and is now a current member of the San Miguel Beermen of the ASEAN Basketball League...
- Joe DevanceJoe DevanceJoe Calvin Devance, Jr. is a Filipino-American professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association who currently plays for the B-Meg Llamados.-Welcoat Dragons:...
- 2008 #1 draft pick ; Mr. Greener Pasture (He left the team for money) - Rudy Distrito – "The Destroyer" was member of the 1986 Alaska team that played its first season in the league
- Robert Duat – PBA Defensive 1st Team
- Samigue EmanSamigue EmanSamigue Eman is a Filipino professional basketball player currently playing for the Alaska Aces in the Philippine Basketball Association.Eman was the 2nd overall draft pick of the Magnolia Beverage Masters in 2007...
- 2008 #2 draft pick - Brixter Encarnacion
- Kenny Evans
- Boyet FernandezBoyet FernandezTeodorico "Boyet" Fernandez III is a retired Filipino professional basketball player. He was the last head coach of the Sta. Lucia Realtors before the team disbanded in 2010. He is currently an assistance coach of the Meralco Bolts....
- current assistant coach of Meralco BoltsMeralco BoltsThe Meralco Bolts is a professional basketball team of the Philippine Basketball Association founded in 2010 when the Manila Electric Company bought the Sta... - John FerriolsJohn FerriolsHubert John B. Ferriols , better known simply as John Ferriols, is a Filipino professional basketball player for the B-Meg Llamados in the Philippine Basketball Association....
- Larry FonacierLarry FonacierLarry Alexander N. Fonacier is a professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association who currently plays for the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters...
- Bryan Gahol
- Nandy Garcia
- Roehl Gomez – played for Alaska during its title runs in the 1990s, most notably known for his three-point shooting; won a Three-Point Shooting Competition in the All-Star Games
- Nap Hatton
- Bong HawkinsBong HawkinsRene Hawkins Jr. better known as "Bong Hawkins" is a retired Filipino professional basketball player of the Philippine Basketball Association. He is former starting forward for the Alaska Aces and he also played for Tivoli, Sta. Lucia, Tanduay and Coca-Cola.-Tivoli:He was drafted in 1991 by Presto...
– "The Hawk" member of 1996 Alaska Grandslam Team and current assistant coach to Alaska - Reynel HugnatanReynel HugnatanReynel Frances T. Hugnatan is a Filipino Professional basketball player of the Philippine Basketball Association...
- Rob Johnson
- Bobby Jose – "The Firecracker"
- Poch JuinioPoch JuinioEdward "Poch" Juinio is a former Filipino Professional basketball player of the Philippine Basketball Association. He was born on May 23, 1973 at Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines.-Player Profile:...
- formed the dreaded starting 5 that won the 1996 grand slam. - Dwight Lago – played for 2 1/2 conferences before being traded along with Fernandez for Durremdes and Tanuan.
- Eddie LaureEddie LaureEddie B. Laure is a Filipino professional basketball player. He last played in the Philippine Basketball Association for the Powerade Tigers. Known by many as The Dominator, he is a former MBA MVP...
– member of 2007 Fiesta Conference Champions - Rey Lazaro
- Braulio Lim
- Joey LoyzagaJoey LoyzagaErnesto Jose C. Loyzaga , better known as Joey Loyzaga, is a former Filipino basketball player. He played college ball for San Beda College before eventually going on to play professional basketball in the Philippine Basketball Association. Loyzaga played for Magnolia, Swift, Shell, Ginebra, and...
- Christian LuanzonChristian LuanzonChristian Luanzon is a Filipino professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association for the Alaska Aces.-Collegiate career:...
- Pops Manaog
- Ric-Ric Marata †††
- Todd Newton
- Miguel "Migs" Noble
- Jon Ordoño
- Michael Otto
- Stephen Padilla – former Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA) player, played for the Cebu Gems. A Cebu native who is known for his good shooting. He is currently playing in Liga Pilipinas
- Willie Pearson
- Ali PeekAli PeekAlbert Henry Peek better known as Ali Peek is a Filipino-American professional basketball player who plays for the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters in the Philippine Basketball Association. He plays mostly at the Center position, although he is also used as a Power Forward occasionally...
– the "Man-Mountain"; played for Alaska from 2001–2004; member of the 2003 Invitational tournament championship team and was named the Best Player of the Conference; PBA Mythical 1st Team (2003) - Giovanni Pineda
- Dong Polistico – when the team drafted him in 1988, he was the tallest player in the PBA during the time standing at 6'7". This was later eclipsed in 1992 by the 6'9" Bonel Balingit.
- Bryant Punsalan
- Eugene Quilban – played his first season with the team in 1991 and lead Alaska to the Third Conference title
- J.R. QuiñahanJ.R. QuiñahanJoseph Ronald Quiñahan or better known as J.R. Quiñahan is a Filipino Professional basketball player of the Philippine Basketball Association. He was born on May 8, 1984 at Cebu City, Philippines. He currently plays for the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters....
- Kevin Ramas – member of 1996 Alaska Grand Slam Team
- Biboy Ravanes – current assistant coach of the San Miguel Beermen
- Ricky Relosa – known as one-half of the famed Bruise Brothers tandem together with Yoyoy Villamin
- Jun Reyes – played backup point guard before joining the team's coaching staff
- Marte Saldana – played for Alaska in the team's 1986 squad
- Rodney Santos – played for Alaska from 1997–2002; member of four Alaska title teams
- Dale SingsonDale SingsonRamon "Dale" Singson is a Filipino professional basketball player who last played for the Powerade Tigers in the Philippine Basketball Association. He plays the Point Guard and Shooting Guard positions. He was directly hired by the Shell Turbo Chargers from the MBA in 2000...
– member of 2006–2007 Fiesta Conference Champions - Stevenson Solomon
- Elvin Sotto
- Bernzon Franco
- Fritz Aquino - 2-time out
- Jack Tanuan
- Alvin Teng – "Robocop"
- LA TenorioLA TenorioLewis Alfred V. Tenorio , better known as L.A. Tenorio, is a Filipino professional basketball point guard who currently plays for the Alaska Aces in the Philippine Basketball Association...
- 2010 Commissioners Cup Finals MVP and Future MVP and Hall-of-Famer of Aces - Sonny Joachim ThossSonny ThossJoachim Gunther Thoss, better known as Sonny Thoss, is a Filipino-Papua New Guinean professional basketball player of the Philippine Basketball Association in the Philippines playing for the Alaska Aces...
- Ritchie Ticzon
- Macky Torres
- Arnie Tuadles
- Yoyoy Villamin – "The Bicolano Superman" known as one-half of the famed Bruise Brothers tandem together with Ricky Relosa; almost won the 1987 PBA Most Valuable Player award.
- James Walkvist
- Willy WilsonWilly WilsonWilliam Wilson , also known as Willy Wilson and Willie Wilson, is a Filipino professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association for the Barangay Ginebra Kings...
- Willie MillerWillie MillerWilliam Ferguson Miller, MBE is a former professional football player who made a club record 558 league appearances for Aberdeen. He is currently the club's Director of Football...
- 2-time MVP
Captains
- Frankie Lim (1986–1987)
- William "Bogs" AdornadoBogs AdornadoWilliam "Bogs" Adornado is a former Filipino athlete who played basketball in both the amateur and professional ranks. He made his mark playing in the Philippine Basketball Association from 1975 to 1987...
(1987–1988) - Yoyoy Villamin (1988–1991)
- Jojo LastimosaJojo LastimosaIsabelo Lastimosa, Jr. , better known as Jojo Lastimosa and by his nickname "Jolas", is a former Filipino professional basketball player from Cagayan de Oro City who played in the Philippine Basketball Association for the Purefoods TJ Hotdogs, the Alaska Aces and the Pop Cola Panthers from 1988-2003...
(1991–1993) - Johnny AbarrientosJohnny AbarrientosJohnny Abarrientos is a retired Filipino professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association. He was also a many-time member of the Philippine National team, and was the 1996 PBA MVP, becoming the shortest player to win the league's highest individual award.He is known by many...
(1993–2001) - Kenneth DuremdesKenneth DuremdesKenneth Duremdes is a Filipino professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association who currently plays for the Powerade Tigers...
(2001–2003) - John ArigoJohn ArigoJohn Hartley Ward Arigo , in Charleston, South Carolina, is a Filipino-American former professional basketball player for three teams in the Philippine Basketball Association. He was drafted 5th overall by the Alaska Aces in January of 2001 while in his senior year of playing NCAA Division II...
(2003–2004) - Jeffrey CariasoJeffrey CariasoJeffrey J. Cariaso is a retired Filipino professional basketball player of the Philippine Basketball Association. He is the former starting off-guard for the Alaska Aces.-Alaska:...
(2004–2010) - Tony dela CruzTony dela CruzAnthony Bryan B. dela Cruz , better known simply as Tony dela Cruz, is a Filipino professional basketball player for the Alaska Aces in the Philippine Basketball Association....
(2010-Present)
Imports
- Terrance Badgett – played for Alaska in the 2001 Commissioners Cup
- Norman BlackNorman BlackNorman Augustus Black is an American retired professional basketball player in the CBA, NBA, and PBA who has since settled in the Philippines. He is also a former head coach of the San Miguel Beermen, Mobiline Phone Pals, Pop Cola 800s, and Sta. Lucia Realtors...
– played for Alaska in 1986 - Willie Bland
- Dexter Boney – played 2 games after Sean Chambers' retirement.
- Odelle Bradley – played for Alaska in the 2005–2006 Fiesta Conference
- Marques Braggs – played for Alaska during the 1990s
- Monty Buckley – played for Alaska in the 1998 season
- Chris CarrawellChris CarrawellChris Carrawell is an American professional basketball player who was selected by the San Antonio Spurs in the 2nd round of the 2000 NBA Draft. Carrawell attended high school at Cardinal Ritter College Prep and played collegiately at Duke University.-External links:**...
– played for Alaska alongside Ajani Williams in the 2002 Commissioner's Cup. Led Alaska to a Third-place finish. Came back and played for Alaska once again for the 2003 Governor's cup - Sean Chambers – led Alaska to numerous titles during his 10-plus year tenure with the team. Considered to be the best import who ever played for Alaska. His jersey No. 20 was retired by the team.
- Carlos Clark – played for Alaska alongside Sean Chambers in the 1990 Reinforced Conference. Led the team to a runner-up finish in the Finals.
- Winston Crite – "the Human Eraser" played for Alaska in 1992.
- Devin Davis – led Alaska to the 1998 Commissioners Cup title and was named as the Best Import of the Conference
- Leon Derricks – played a few games in the 2005 Fiesta Conference
- Jerry Eaves
- Rosell EllisRosell EllisRosell Ellis in an American basketball player.-Career:Rosell Ellis was a former Washington state player of the year for Rainier Beach High School. His high school coach, Michael Bethea, remembers him as "domineering and overpowering" player...
– led Alaska to the 2007 Fiesta Conference Title and was named as the Best Import of the Conference - Isaac FontaineIsaac FontaineIsaac Henry Sedric Fontaine IV is an American professional basketball player. He is 1.94 m and 95 kg guard and he played collegiately at Washington State University. He has played in the NBA for the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2001–02 season, playing six games...
- Jason Forte - led Alaska to a Third-Place finish with the result of the quotient system
- Sylvester Gray – played for Alaska in the 1997 Commissioners Cup
- Derrick Hamilton – played for Alaska in the mid-90s
- James Head – played for Alaska in the 2002 season; led Alaska to a runner-up finish in the 2002 Governors Cup
- Randy HolcombRandy HolcombRandy Alfred Holcomb is an American professional basketball player. He is a 6'8", 230 lb. forward. He became a naturalized Libyan citizen in 2009 and competed as a member of the Libya national basketball team in the FIBA Africa Championship 2009.-Early life:Randy Holcomb was born at St...
- Kevin Holland – led Alaska to a runner-up finish in the 1997 Commissioners Cup
- Artemus McClary – played for Alaska in the 2005–06 Fiesta Conference
- Ron Riley – played for Alaska in the 2001 and 2002 seasons; led Alaska to a runner-up finish in the 2002 Governors Cup
- Anthony Simms – played for Alaska in the 1990 Open Conference. The 3rd Canadian import to play in the league.
- Dickey SimpkinsDickey SimpkinsLuBara Dixon "Dickey" Simpkins is an American former professional basketball player best known for his tenure with the Chicago Bulls in the late 1990s...
– played for Alaska in the 2005 Fiesta Conference - Jose Slaughter – played for Alaska in the 1987 Reinforced Conference. Led the team to a runner-up finish in the Finals.
- Ajani Williams – played for Alaska alongside Chris Carawell in the 2002 Commissioner's Cup. Led Alaska to a Third-place finish
- Galen YoungGalen YoungGalen Young is an American-Canadian professional basketball player currently playing for the Hawke's Bay Hawks in the New Zealand NBL.Young is 1.98 m tall and plays small forward and power forward.-Basketball career:...
– played for Alaska in the 2004 and 2008 Fiesta Conference. - Diamon Simpson - led the team for winning the 2010 fiesta conference title.
- LD Williams
Retired numbers
- 6 Jojo LastimosaJojo LastimosaIsabelo Lastimosa, Jr. , better known as Jojo Lastimosa and by his nickname "Jolas", is a former Filipino professional basketball player from Cagayan de Oro City who played in the Philippine Basketball Association for the Purefoods TJ Hotdogs, the Alaska Aces and the Pop Cola Panthers from 1988-2003...
– retired during the opening of the 2003 season - 14 Johnny AbarrientosJohnny AbarrientosJohnny Abarrientos is a retired Filipino professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association. He was also a many-time member of the Philippine National team, and was the 1996 PBA MVP, becoming the shortest player to win the league's highest individual award.He is known by many...
- retired during the Alaska 25th anniversary reunion last September 27, 2010 - 16 Bong HawkinsBong HawkinsRene Hawkins Jr. better known as "Bong Hawkins" is a retired Filipino professional basketball player of the Philippine Basketball Association. He is former starting forward for the Alaska Aces and he also played for Tivoli, Sta. Lucia, Tanduay and Coca-Cola.-Tivoli:He was drafted in 1991 by Presto...
- retired during the Alaska 25th anniversary reunion last September 27, 2010 - 20 Sean Chambers – retired after Chambers announced his retirement in the 2001 Governor's Cup
- 22 Jeffrey CariasoJeffrey CariasoJeffrey J. Cariaso is a retired Filipino professional basketball player of the Philippine Basketball Association. He is the former starting off-guard for the Alaska Aces.-Alaska:...
- retired during the Semifinal Series of 2010 Fiesta Conference - 33 William "Bogs" AdornadoBogs AdornadoWilliam "Bogs" Adornado is a former Filipino athlete who played basketball in both the amateur and professional ranks. He made his mark playing in the Philippine Basketball Association from 1975 to 1987...
– retired during the opening of the 1988 season
Coaches
- Tony Vasquez (1986–1987)
- Cesar Jota (1987)
- Nat Canson (1987-1988)
- Turo ValenzonaTuro ValenzonaArturo F. Valenzona , also known as Turo Valenzona, is a former Filipino basketball player and head coach.-Info:Valenzona played college ball for the Far Eastern University, before eventually playing in the Manila Industrial and Commercial Athletic Association, and later, the Philippine Basketball...
(1988-1989) - Bogs AdornadoBogs AdornadoWilliam "Bogs" Adornado is a former Filipino athlete who played basketball in both the amateur and professional ranks. He made his mark playing in the Philippine Basketball Association from 1975 to 1987...
(1989) - Tim ConeTim ConeEarl Timothy Cone, better known as Tim Cone, is an American head coach of B-Meg Llamados in the Philippine Basketball Association. He is known for leading the Aces to 13 PBA titles in its franchise history while leading the 1996 Milkmen to a rare PBA Grandslam. He also once coached the Philippine...
(1989–2011) - Joel BanalJoel BanalJoel Banal is a former Filipino professional basketball player, currently serving as head coach of Alaska Aces in the Philippine Basketball Association. Banal played college ball for the Mapúa Institute of Technology, before venturing into professional basketball with the Great Taste Coffee...
(2011-present)
External links
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