Aces old, new gather to relive glory years

MANILA, Philippines - Players from as far as England and the United States came and they expressed the same – “We’re so proud to be a part of the Alaska team.”

The Alaska giants, the Alaska originals, the present crop and a slew of other proud Alaska alumni gathered in an evening of nostalgia and celebration, toasting the Uytengsu franchise’s 25th year at the Grand Ballroom of Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati Tuesday night.

It was a grand celebration for an expansion team that has become one of the greatest franchises in the Philippine Basketball Association, making a name synonymous to professionalism and winning.

Consider the 25 finals appearances and the 13 championships, including the 1996 Triple Crown that Alaska achieved in its 25 years of participation in the country’s premier pro league.

Team owner Wilfred Steven Uytengsu and coach Earl Tim Cone marveled what a journey it has been.

Uytengsu said it’s a testimony to his late father Wilfred Sr. who in mid-1985 trusted him as a young 23-year-old to study the viability of using the PBA as a marketing tool.

“Here we are now embarking on our 25th year and, indeed, we’re so fortunate,” said Uytengsu to the approval of the crowd including PBA officials led by current commissioner Chito Salud, past commissioner Sonny Barrios and board chairman Rene Pardo.

Uytengsu paid tribute to his partnership with coach Cone and team manager Joaqui Trillo and to all the players that have donned the Alaska jersey.

For Cone, it’s all about the journey and the history their players have given the organization.

“It’s not about me, it’s about the players. You’ve gone on a journey -- a journey so wonderful. Now we honor the history you’ve given us,” Cone addressed the players.

Given the biggest honor in the night were Alaska greats Johnny Abarrientos and Bong Hawkins whose jerseys were retired. Theirs were the fifth and sixth Alaska jerseys retired after those of Bogs Adornado, Sean Chambers, Jojo Lastimosa and Jeffrey Cariaso.

Abarrientos and Hawkins, who spent their best PBA years with Alaska in the 90s, shared the honors with their teammates, particularly Lastimosa, Cariaso and Poch Juinio with whom they formed the magnificent five leading the team to the grand slam in 1996.

“I wouldn’t be here without my Mr. Clutch (Jojo Lastimosa), my Luc Longley (Juinio), The Hawk (Hawkins) and The Jet (Cariaso). And there won’t be the grand slam without our best import of all-time in Sean Chambers,” said Abarrientos.

Chambers, with Alaska original Ponky Alolor, flew in from California to attend the occasion.

“It’s just hard not to be proud of this class organization,” said Chambers, once the league Mr. 100 Percent awardee who’s now a school principal in Sacramento, California.

Former Alaska players who have become coaches, academicians, pastors and businessmen were among those who made a homecoming.

“It gives me so much satisfaction knowing what all these players have become,” said Uytengsu.

Dennis Abbatuan, another Alaska original now based in London, came and mingled with the likes of Joel Santos, Boy Cabahug and Rhoel Gomez who traveled from the province.

“To see all-time greats Johnny Abarrientos, Jojo Lastimosa and Bong Hawkins and the Alaska originals and others... to see all these guys together gives me goose bumps. It’s awesome, it’s wonderful,” said Cone.

There’s also longtime team physician Facundo Sun flying in from Dubai. Assistant coach Joel Banal, meanwhile, rushed from Yemen where his son is currently with the RP under-18 team in the Asian youth championship.

The list was long.

Among those spotted in the jampacked venue were Kenneth Duremdes, Rodney Santos, EJ Feihl, Chris Bolado, Nandy Garcia, Woodrow Balani, Rensy Bajar, Eddie Laure, Dickie Bachmann, LA Tenorio, Cyrus Baguio, Larry Fonacier, Sam Eman, Joachim Thoss, Mark Borboran, Topex Robinson, Reynel Hugnatan, Ervin Sotto, Tony dela Cruz, Joe Devance, Brandon Cablay and Mike Burtscher.