Remember the Milkmen

On March 22, 2022, the storied Alaska Aces/ Milkmen franchise officially disbanded after joining the league in 1986 en route to 14 championships highlighted by the 1996 grand slam.

Photo: abs-cbn.com

As Filipino basketball fans, we were spoiled by the level of excellence, class, and integrity that the Aces franchise displayed at all times under the watch of owner Wilfred Uytengsu. The first chapter featured the uphill climb into greatness headed by Coach Tim Cone, with stars like Jojo Lastimosa, Johnny Abarrientos, Bong Hawkins, and Jeffrey Cariaso, to name a few. When the Grand Slam was achieved, they quickly retooled to further improve their ranks with the addition of Kenneth Duremdes and Rodney Santos. At the turn of the century, they featured names such as Don Allado, Ali Peek, Mike Cortez, and John Arigo.

More than winning, the Aces carried themselves on a very business-like level. The coaching staff wore long sleeves, neckties and dress shoes-- far from the competition's casual wear. They followed the rules, worked within the system, and were hardly involved in any shady transactions. The only issues that we can recall were the trades that sent Abarrientos and Duremdes elsewhere.

Alas, around  (or even before) 2010, rumors of the Aces having financial concerns became rampant. There were reports that the head company has decided to cut ties with the basketball club and that the team was now solely financed by Uytengsu himself. This was followed by Coach Tim Cone's 2011 exit (and entry into the San Miguel fold), which led to subpar campaigns.

But just when everyone thought that the Aces were headed to farm team purgatory, they opted for the younger Luigi Trillo and a fresh assortment of players led by Calvin Abueva and Gabby Espinas. With Trillo came what we would like to call the 'Attitude Era' of the Aces, as they played a more up and down, run and gun, physical style that was less 'Alaska' and more 'Pinoy.'

They won a title, but the Trillo partnership soon faded out. They had a few more successful playoff runs with new head coach Alex Compton, but that appeared to be as far as the team could go. Holdovers like JVee Casio, also soon became trade assets.

When the team finally folded in 2022, they were coached by Jeffrey Cariaso. They failed to make the playoffs, but that is not how we would like to remember the great franchise by.

They were right up there, engaged in heavy warfare with league powerhouses- San Miguel Beer, Purefoods and Talk n Text. 

They featured great imports such as Sean Chambers, Devin Davis, Rosell Ellis, and Romeo Travis.

They almost repeated the Grandslam in 1998, after 1996, but opted to send their superstars to represent the Philippines in international play.

They had MVPs in Abarrientos, Duremdes, and Willie Miller. 

And most of all, they played the game the right way. With integrity, class, and respect. Games were hard-fought and competitive, 'bad' officiating was not made an excuse (during the Cone years), and new stars were developed and discovered.

Thank you, Alaska Milkmen/ Aces.