END of a great era. The curtains finally fell on Alaska as one of the most storied franchises in PBA history played its final game Saturday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
It wasn't the exact ending the Aces had wanted after taking it on the chin against the NLEX Road Warriors, 96-80, and bowed out of contention in the Governors' Cup playoffs.
They bowed out of the league, too, after 36 decorated years marked by 14 championships and as one of only four franchises to win a rare grand slam.
"I didn't want to think that this was a possibility tonight, but it is here. We all knew since Feb. 16 that this day will come eventually. And it's here now," said Jeff Cariaso in his final post-game presser as Alaska coach.
"So many things run through my mind just the history of Alaska, how proud I am to be part of this team and how I develop not only as a player, an assistant coach, and now head coach, but really as a person. I like to focus there and mention that a lot of great people had come to this organization, stemming from the leadership of Boss Fred (Uytengsu), and the coaches that was here and continued that culture, from management, to Boss Dickie (Bachmann) and CK (Kanapi-Daniolco), and just the organization and company as a whole."
In a fitting tribute and respect to an organization that prides itself for winning with integrity, the PBA gave Alaska a final buzzer shortly after playing its last game in Asia's pioneering pro league.
The entire Alaska team went at center court of the Big Dome and acknowledged the loud cheers of the fans they'll be hearing for one last time.
"In behalf of the PBA family, the PBA fans, maraming-maraming salamat, Alaska," said commissioner Willie Marcial before sounding off the final buzzer for the franchise that first introduced itself to Filipino basketball fans way back in 1986.
Alaska is tied with the Purefoods franchise as the second most winningest franchise in PBA history and retired the jersey numbers of seven of its most accomplished players in Johnny Abarrientos, Jojo Lastimosa, Bong Hawkins, Cariaso, Bogs Adornado, import Sean Chambers, and the recently retired Sonny Thoss.
But apart from churning out championships and molding star players, Cariaso said Alaska will also be best remembered from valuing the significance of working as a team in building character and achieving success, giving birth to the organization's best-known mantra of 'WeNotMe.'
"Just the value that they carry themselves with, we tried to teach that and made sure that we live by those standards, and I'm proud to say we did," Cariaso proudly beamed.
"That in itself I think, we're proud to say that were winners in that regard because that's something you carry for the rest of your life." (RG)(PBA)
(Photo credits to: Inquirer Sports)