| Alaska Aces | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joined PBA | 1986 | |||
| History | Alaska Milk Kings 1986-1987 Hills Bros. Coffee Kings 1987-1988 Alaska Air Force 1988–1991 Alaska Milkmen 1991–2000 Alaska Aces 2000–Present |
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| Team colors | Red, Black, and White |
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| Owner(s) | Wilfred Steven Uytengsu | |||
| Board governor | Joaqui Trillo | |||
| Company | Alaska Milk Corporation | |||
| Head coach | Joel Banal | |||
| Championships | 13 (1991 Reinforced Conference, 1994 Governor's, 1995 Governor's, 1996 All-Filipino, 1996 Commissioner's, 1996 Governor's, 1997 Governor's, 1998 All-Filipino, 1998 Commissioner's, 2000 All-Filipino, 2003 Invitational, 2007 Fiesta 2010 Fiesta Conference) | |||
| Retired numbers | 6 (6, 14, 16, 20, 22, 33) | |||
| Uniforms | ||||
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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.
After the temporary departure of the Magnolia 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. [1]
A list of the 1986 Alaska lineup is listed on this [2].
In 1987, 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. [3]
In 1988, 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.
In 1989, 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. [4]
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.
In the All-Filipino Conference, the Milkmen defeated the Purefoods TJ Hotdogs team of Alvin Patrimonio 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.
Alaska suffered one of the biggest losses prior to the 1997 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.
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, Alaska 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.
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 Chargers. 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.
Head coach Tim Cone 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.
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 Draft 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.
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.
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, 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.
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 Hawkins (#16) and Johnny Abarrientos (#14). Both players were instrumental for their grandslam finish in 1996.[1]
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.
Alaska decided to release Paolo Bugia, Don Dulay and Mike Burtscher. While former UST 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.
| Conf. | Team name | Elimination round | Playoffs | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finish | W | L | PCT | Stage | Results | ||
| PHI | Alaska Aces | 6th/10 | 7 | 7 | .500 | Quarterfinals | Barangay Ginebra 2, Alaska 1 |
| COM | 5th/10 | 5 | 4 | .556 | Quarterfinals | Air21 2, Alaska 1 | |
| GOV | 3rd/9 | 5 | 3 | .625 | Semifinals | 3rd overall (8–5), 3–2 in semifinals | |
| Total elimination round | 17 | 14 | .548 | 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 | |||
*one-game playoffs
**team had the twice-to-beat advantage
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| Preceded by San Miguel Beermen (original) |
PBA teams genealogies 1986–present |
Succeeded by (incumbent) |
| Awards and achievements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Purefoods T.J. Hotdogs |
PBA Third Conference Champions 1991 |
Succeeded by Swift Mighty Meaties |
| Preceded by San Miguel Beermen |
PBA Governors Cup Champions 1994–1997 |
Succeeded by Formula Shell Zoom Masters |
| Preceded by Sunkist Orange Juicers Purefoods Carne Norte Cowboys Formula Shell Zoom Masters |
PBA All-Filipino Cup Champions 1996 1998 2000 |
Succeeded by Purefoods Corned Beef Cowboys Shell Velocity San Miguel Beermen |
| Preceded by Sunkist Orange Juicers Gordon's Gin Boars |
PBA Commissioner's Cup Champions 1996 1998 |
Succeeded by Gordon's Gin Boars San Miguel Beermen |
| Preceded by San Miguel Beermen (1989) |
Grand Slam winners 1996 |
Succeeded by To be determined |
| Preceded by Great Taste Coffee Makers (1984) |
PBA Invitational Conference Champions 2003 |
Succeeded by (last) |
| Preceded by Red Bull Barako San Miguel Beermen |
PBA Fiesta Conference Champions 2007 2010 |
Succeeded by Barangay Ginebra Kings (last) |
| PBA Finals Champions Navigation Boxes | ||||||
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| Alaska Aces | Barako Bull Energy | Barangay Ginebra Kings | B-Meg Llamados | Meralco Bolts | |
| Petron Blaze Boosters | Powerade Tigers | Rain or Shine Elasto Painters | Shopinas.com Clickers | Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters | |
| Seasons · Champions - The Grand Slam · Conferences: Philippine Cup - Commissioner's Cup - Governors Cup · Defunct teams · All-time team standings | |||||
| Players · MVP - Awards - Records - Current team rosters · D-League · Draft · All-Star Weekend · Hall of Fame · 25th anniversary all-time team · Jun Bernardino Trophy · The Leo · Venues · PBA on AKTV | |||||
| Category · Portal · 2011-12 season: Philippine Cup | |||||