Alaska Alaska players in a huddle. PBA photo

Alaska says goodbye to the PBA

February 16, 2022 Robert Andaya 531 views

ALASKA Milk, one of winningest teams in the PBA with 14 championships and the league’s fourth grand slam in 1996, is saying goodbye after 35 seasons.

The Wilfred Uytengsu-owned franchise, which joined the league in 1986, announced the sad news of leaving Asia’s first play-for-pay league at the conclusion of the coronavirus-interrupted PBA Governors’ Cup.

The Jeffrey Cariaso-mentored Aces, who currently hold a 3-2 win-loss record in the import-flavored conference, are scheduled to play Rain or Shine on Thursday.

“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,” said Uytengsu in an official statement.

“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 learning so much about the team dynamics and building championship teams from the players and coaching staff,” added Uytengsu.

“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.”

Uytengsu said the decision was also aligned with the global directive AMC’s parent company, FrieslandCampina, to implement an organizational transformation that ensures long-term sustainability.

Alaska team governor Richard Bachmann said Uytengsu talked with PBA commissioner Willie Marcial and board chairman Ricky Vargas a few hours before making the final decision.

The PBA Board is now reportedly set to convene in an emergency meeting to act on Alaska’s withdrawal.

Among the major issues to be discussed are the plan of Uytengsu to sell the franchise to an interested company and the possible dispersal of the players in case the sale will not materialize soon.

Based on PBA rules, all the Alaska players will be placed in a dispersal draft with the remaining 11 teams set to pick their players in a dispersal draft.”

Among the notable players in the Alaska uniform are Jeron Teng, Abu Tratter, Mike Tolomia, Robbie Herndon, Maverick Ahanmisi, Mike DiGregorio, Kevin Racal, Bryan Faundo, RK Ilagan, Taylor Browne, Alec Stockton, Jaycee Marcelino, Rey Publico, Allyn Bulanadi and Ben Adamos.

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