INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines?Jeffrey Cariaso feels he can still play for two more years. But wanting to fulfill a promise he made to himself, the Alaska Ace guard is calling it quits after a 15-year career.

The former Rookie of the Year, the PBA?s second oldest active player at 37, announced his retirement Monday through a statement. He is currently on the reserve list of Alaska, which made him the sixth draft pick overall in 1995.

San Miguel Beer guard Olsen Racela is currently the oldest active player at 39.

?I have always said that I want to leave this game on a high note,? the 6-foot-2 Cariaso said in a statement. ?I want to leave even if I think, and my peers think, I can still play for another two years.?

Cariaso said he asked the Alaska coaching staff to put him on reserve after he was kept on the bench during their first six games.

?I certainly did not want my last conference to end this way,? Cariaso said, adding that he understands that his services are no longer needed on the court.

Cariaso suited up for the Alaska Grand Slam team of 1996 and the National team in the 2002 Asian Games in Busan, South Korea.