Chambers, Abarrientos, Duremdes banner 30 greatest Aces in 30 years

Alaska celebrated its 30th year in the PBA on Thursday night and came up with its list of 30 of its greatest players led by the core of its Grand Slam team of 1996 in simple rites at Endurun College.

Though absent, Johnny Abarrientos was enshrined into Alaska’s own list of all-time greats together with Jojo Lastimosa, Jeffrey Cariaso, Kenneth Duremdes and Bong Hawkins and import Sean Chambers.

Also absent was the coach of that Triple Crown team, Tim Cone, who had a celebrated falling out with the franchise at the end of the 2011 season by transferring to Purefoods after 23 years with Alaska.

“Tonight, we celebrate 30 years of teamwork, 30 years of integrity, and I would like to believe, 30 years of glory,” team owner Wilfred Uytengsu told the gathering, made up of past and present players of Alaska.

“This is all about an incredible journey,” added Uytengsu, who appeared as the child in the popular Alaska commercial together with import Cisco Oliver and became enamored with basketball.

“It would be easy to summarize our 30 years statistically, but that is not what this milestone is all about,” he added of the team that has so far won 14 championships from 1986.

Part of the Alaska list are current Aces JV Casio, Cyrus Baguio, Sonny Thoss, Tony Dela Cruz, Dondon Hontiveros and Calvin Abueva, the energetic yet undersized power forward who has become the face of the Aces.

The others are Yoyoy Villamin, William Pearson, former Rookie of the Year Eugene Quilban, Poch Juinio, Elmer Cabahug, Melchor Ravanes, Rodney Santos, Ali Peek, Mike Cortez, Reynel Hugnatan, Willie Miller, LA Tenorio and imports Rossell Ellis, Devin Davis, Diamon Simpson and Rob Dozier, who led them to their last title, the 2013 Commissioner’s Cup.