1997 Alaska Milkmen season

The 1997 Alaska Milkmen season was the 12th season of the franchise in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

Key Date

• February 16: Last season's Grandslam champions Alaska Milk opened a quest for another championship by defeating a brand-new Mobiline Cellulars team, 100-91, now coach by Norman Black, and paraded by the number 1 overall pick, 6-9 Fil-American Andrew Seigle, in the lone game of the PBA's 23rd season opening.

Trades

• Pre-season, Jun Reyes was traded to Sta.Lucia for Boyet Fernandez
• Sent Dwight Lago and Boyet Fernandez, who were new season recruits to Pop Cola for Kenneth Duremdes and Jack Tanuan beginning the Governors Cup.

Season Recap

• Alaska Milk's streak of eight consecutive finals appearance has come to an end in the All-Filipino Cup, the Milkmen beat Pop Cola, 93-85 on the last day of the eliminations but missed out a chance for a playoff with Mobiline Cellulars, who pick up the fifth semifinals berth with a victory over league-leading Gordon's Gin in the second game.
• In the Commissioners Cup, Alaska bring in former Anejo import Sylvester Gray, the milkmen were the last team to enter the semis at 5-win, 5-loss, Gray opted to play elsewhere, and was replaced by another returning import, Kevin Holland, who played for Pepsi Mega three years ago, Alaska clinch the finals first, leaving sister teams Gordon's Gin and San Miguel Beer to dispute the other finals seat. The Boars prevailed over the Beermen in two overtimes, and went on to beat Alaska in the finals, 4-2.
• Alaska Milk defended the only crown left, by winning the Governors Cup title over Purefoods Carne Norte Beefies, 4-1, It was the fourth time the Milkmen won the season-ending tourney.

Roster