The Alaska Aces franchise announced its exit from the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).
The Aces made the announcement on Wednesday, saying they are ending their journey in the league after 36 years.
However, the team would still finish the ongoing PBA Governors’ Cup, according to Team governor Dicky Bachmann. Alaska Aces are currently in the sixth spot with a 3-2 win-loss card.
“We thought long and hard before making this final decision. However, we believe that this will allow us to refocus our resources on providing affordable nutrition for Filipino families,” said AMC chairman Fred Uytengsu in a 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 learn so much about the team dynamics and building championship teams from players and coaching staff.”
The Alaska Aces are a professional basketball team in the Philippine Basketball Association since 1986 under the ownership of the Alaska Milk Corporation and the owner of 14 PBA championships with the 2013 PBA Commissioner’s Cup as their latest. They are one of the most popular teams in the league and the Philippines.
Alaska Aces leaves PBA after 36 years
The Aces won nine PBA championships in the 1990s, including a rare grand slam (winning three titles in one season) during the 1996 season, joining 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.
“As we bid farewell to our beloved Alaska Aces team, we thanked all of you, loyal fans and supporters, for showing your love and support through all these years,” said the team.
“May the memory of Alaska Aces live on forever. Wala pa rin tatalo sa Alaska!”
Meanwhile, Former Alaska deputy Chot Reyes was saddened by the news.
“I’m deeply saddened by the turn of events but I guess, like I said, I told my players today, that’s life,” he said following TNT’s 96-81 win over San Miguel Beer.
“We never really can tell. That’s why we have to treasure it and we have to cherish it, and we have to play like it’s our last game because we never really know.”
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