Alaska import Olu Ashaolu during a game in the 2021 PBA Governors’ Cup. PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—The Alaska Aces will go down swinging in their final conference in the PBA.
Team owner Wilfred Uytengsu said the Aces are looking to add a 15th and final title to their storied cabinet and leave the league in the best possible way.
“We still have one more conference to get our 15th ring. I am not throwing in the towel yet. I don’t know if we will have that many fans watching the finals but I hope Alaska is there,” said Uytengsu Wednesday in a virtual press conference.
“As I say all good things come to an end, and at the end of this season, it will be our 35th and final season in the PBA,” said Uytengsu.
Alaska announced that it would leave the PBA by the season’s end, leaving behind a legacy as one of the greatest teams in Philippine basketball history.
The Aces won a total of 14 championships, the last one the 2013 Commissioner’s Cup, including the 1996 Grand Slam behind the brilliance of season MVP Johnny Abbarientos, Bong Hawkins, Jojo Lastimosa, Poch Juinio, and Sean Chambers.
Players are also determined to help Alaska to its 15th championship— a figure that would make the team the second-winningest franchise ahead of Magnolia.
“The Last Dance,” posted import Olu Ashaolu.
“This will be our last conference as Alaska Aces, will definitely make it count!” Jeron Teng, Alaska’s fifth overall pick in 2017, said in a tweet as he also thanked the Aces for giving him a home the last four years.
Grateful to Alaska for giving me a home for the last 4 years. It’s been an honor to play for the franchise. This will be our last conference as Alaska Aces, will definitely make it count! #TheLastAce #TheLastDance #WeNotMe @alaska_aces #2017PBAdraft pic.twitter.com/CVi186NZvc
— Jeron Teng (@jeronteng) February 16, 2022
The club may be leaving the PBA for good, but Uytengsu said that everyone within the team’s books will be taken care of.
From the players and coaches to the utility and ball boys, every single person under the Aces’ employment are assured of a safety net.
“I wanna make sure that we continue to help them and we will provide support for them, we’ll honor their contracts obviously for those who still have contracts. That’s my first priority,” said Uytengsu.
“We’ve provided a support package to take care of them as well. Everyone in our franchise has been important, from our trainers to our ball boys. We recognize that, and we’re doing what we can to make sure they have a livelihood package in place for them.