Alaska to bid PBA goodbye
ALASKA – One of the most domineering franchises on the Philippine Basketball Association is set to leave the PBA after over three decades.
Fred Uytengsu, Alaska Milk Corporation Chairman and team owner of the Aces, announced on Wednesday that they will leave the PBA after the 2021 PBA Governors’ Cup.
In a statement, the company said that it will shift its focus on providing economical solutions to the nutritional needs of the country.
AMC’s decision to leave the league was in accordance with the mandate of its parent company called FrieslandCampina.
AMC’s parent company wanted to implement an organizational transformation that ensures long-term stability.
Here’s the official statement of Alaska:
Since joining PBA in 1986, the Aces won nine PBA championships including a rare grand slam (winning three championships in one season) during the 1996 season.
The Aces joined the Crispa Redmanizers (1976, 1983), San Miguel Beermen (1989), and the San Mig Super Coffee Mixers (2013-14) as one of only four franchises to achieve the feat.
Among the popular basketball players who became part of the Alaska Aces are the following; Johnny Abarrientos, Jojo Lastimosa, Bong Hawkins, Jeffrey Cariaso, Willie Miller, LA Tenorio, Calvin Abueva, Reynel Hugnatan, Sonny Thoss, Cyrus Baguio, Dondon Hontiveros, Ali Peek, and to name a few.
Meanwhile, PBA commissioner Willie Marcial lamented the departure of the Alaska franchise from the league.
He dubbed its departure as “a sad day for Philippine basketball.”
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