Sean back to Alaska?

Alaska retired Sean (The Man) Chambers’ No. 20 jersey in emotional rites during a Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors Cup doubleheader at the PhilSports Arena last Sept. 26.

Chambers, 36, deserved the honor. No import has done as much for his team. Chambers typified the fighting Alaska spirit of the ’90s when the Aces, then known as the Milkmen, established an impregnable dynasty. Sean The Man powered Alaska to six titles, seven if you include the 1998 Second Conference where he staked the club to a 3-0 start as an interim import before giving way to Devin Davis.

Throughout his career in the PBA, Chambers played with his head held up. He was the import of imports, a perfect role model on and off the court. Chambers didn’t only make Alaska proud – he made the PBA, the fans, and the country proud, too.

"I never brought shame to the league," said Chambers. "I’ve always been grateful to the Filipino people for accepting me as their own. I have only the utmost respect for Alaska, the PBA, and the Filipino people."

It was in the PBA where Chambers became a household name. For 18 conferences in 13 seasons, Sean The Man plied his trade – playing his guts out, night after night. In 270 total games, he averaged 30.5 points, 12 rebounds, and 4.7 assists. Chambers finished his career with 1,273 assists and 262 steals – both highs for an import.

In 1987, Chambers made his first appearance here playing for a visiting Los Angeles pick-up team in a week-long, offseason tournament called the World Challenge Cup. A highlight of his first trip to Manila was beating Billy Ray Bates in a slam drunk contest. He was back the next year to play in the second staging of the World Challenge Cup.

In the 1989 Open Conference, Alaska signed up Chambers as a replacement for import Carl Lott after Tom Sewell was measured over the 6-3 height limit and Carlos Guilliard was too short for comfort. So Chambers wasn’t Alaska’s first choice – he was, in fact, the fourth.

But once Chambers took to the floor for coach Tim Cone, Alaska was never the same again. He powered Alaska to its first PBA title in 1991 and that same year, became only the second player ever, after Norman Black in 1983, to be awarded the Mr. 100 percent Performance trophy.

Chambers, the second of four children, leaves for Sacramento, his hometown, sometime this week. He’ll return to coaching the girls basketball varsity at Highlands High School, his alma mater. But Chambers hopes to be back next year. Cone is exploring the possibility of recruiting Chambers as a consultant or an assistant coach.

It makes sense for Alaska to rehire Chambers. Not only as a consultant or assistant coach. But as a practice player, too. He could play the role of the opposing import in scrimmages, participate in scouting missions, and contribute to formulating game plans. Chambers’ big advantage is he knows how to win in the PBA. And he knows Cone’s system like the back of his hand.

At the moment, Chambers is busy tying up loose ends in the sports uniform business that he set up last year. He’s got the exclusive rights to distribute the popular "Botak" brand in the US West Coast and he’s negotiating with four other groups to supply other sports stuff for export.

Chambers’ company is called "Just Believe Sports" and he’s already signed up six NCAA Division I schools to wear his Philippine-made uniforms. He said the business generates an income of about P500,000 to P600,000 a month – not bad for a new enterprise.

How did he start the business? "By accident," he said. "A couple of years ago, I donated some Botak uniforms for the girls team at my high school in Sacramento. They were such a hit that some coaches who saw the uniforms asked me where to get them – I told them I’d supply the uniforms for a small fee. That’s how it got started."

What about other plans for the future, like getting hitched?

"I’ve been married to Alaska for 13 years," he said. "Maybe, it’s time to go for another commitment. Who knows? She could be somewhere out there."

Chambers, one of the PBA’s enduring legends, will never be forgotten as a class act.