MAGPAPAALAM na ang Alaska sa PBA makaraan ang mahigit tatlong dekadang paglalaro sa liga.
Ayon kay team governor Richard Bachmann, huling conference na ng Aces ang nagpapatuloy na 2021-22 PBA Governors’ Cup.
“The Aces franchise will always be very special to me. I had the good fortune of starting this franchise at the age of 24 and learn so much about team dynamics and building championship teams from the players and coaching staff,” pahayag ni team owner Fred Uytengsu, Alaska Milk Corporation Chairman, sa isang statement.
“We take great pride in our participation and success all these years and know we won with integrity. I also want to thank the PBA for our many years of partnership and wish the league continued success in the years to come.
The company said that it will shift its focus on providing economical solutions to the country’s nutritional needs.
We thought long and hard before making this final decision. However, we believe that this will allow us to focus our resources on providing affordable nutrition for Filipino families,” ayob kay Uytengsu.
Ang desisyon na lisanin ang sports ay alinsunod sa kapasiyahan ng parent company ng AMC, ang FrieslandCampina, na magpatupad ng organizational transformation na titiyak sa long-term stability.
Lumahok sa liga noong 1986, ang Alaska ay napabilang sa roster of champs noong 1991 at kalaunan ay nadominahan ang liga sa pamamagitan ng ‘great run’, tampok ang 10 championships noong 90s, kabilang ang grand slam noong 1996.
Sa koponang pinangunahan nina Johnny Abarrientos, Jojo Lastimosa at Bong Hawkins at kalaunan ay sinamahan nina Jeffrey Cariaso at Kenneth Duremdes, ang Alaska Aces ay umukit ng tradition of winning at dynastic reign na tinampukan ng 14 championships sa kabuuan – ang huli ay sa ilalim ni coach Luigi Trillo noong 2013.
Ang koponan sa ilalim ng triumvirate nina team owner Uytengsu, coach Tim Cone at team manager Joaqui Trillo ay nakakolekta ng 13 korona, isinakripisyo ang pagkakataon para sa ikalawang grand slam noong 1998 upang katawanin ang bansa sa Bangkok Asian Games.
Huling nakapasok ang Aces sa PBA finals sa t2018 Governors’ Cup, subalit nagkasya sa runner-up honors sa likod ng eventual champs Magnolia Hotshots.
Ang Aces ay kasalukuyang nasa fifth place kasalo ang San Miguel Beermen at Barangay Ginebra Kings na may 3-2, at makakaharap ang Elasto Painters (3-3) ngayong Huwebes, alas-6 ng gabi.
“As we bid farewell to our beloved Alaska Aces team, we thank all of you, loyal fans and supporters, for showing your love and support through all these years. May the memory of Alaska Aces live on forever,” nakasaad pa sa statement ng koponan. CLYDE MARIANO
