PBA: In the wake of a 14th title, Alaska's brand new day

You could see it in their eyes. From game one all the way to the last second of the Commissioner’s Cup Finals, the Alaska Aces had this cold, steely gaze etched onto their faces.

I was there in the stands during the player introductions of the Aces and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel. The cheers from the dedicated Gatas Republik fans were fewer, but more concentrated. They paled in comparison to the ovation that the Barangay gave the Ginebra players as they entered the floor, but that didn’t matter. Even though their contingent was outnumbered by the sea of Ginebra fans, their unwavering support was felt by all.

On the floor, the Aces stared at their Ginebra opponents with blank expressions. They were dying to prove themselves and send a statement. Inside, they were frothing at the mouth.

And prove themselves they did. From tip-off in game one, all the way to the series clincher, the Aces sent a message to the rest of the PBA world.

This championship was the capper of a long comeback to relevance.

When it was all over, the Alaska Aces stood at the center of the SMART Araneta Coliseum, with balloons pouring down from the rafters and arms raised in victory. From owner Fred Uytengsu all the way to the iconic Tom Urbano, it was clear that the victory that the 16 basketball players claimed was a moment that was to be shared by everyone that believed in them.

When a championship is won, it’s only natural to bask in the afterglow, and celebrate an achievement that nine other teams desired to have. But for the Aces, it is now a time to reflect on everything that they went through, from the worst season in franchise history, to champions in a little over a year.

The moment was memorable. The story unforgettable.  

The seeds of the 14th championship of the Aces were planted as early as the 2012-13 Philippine Cup, during their semifinals matchup against the Talk 'N Text.

The Aces lost to the Texters in a highly physical and intense seven-game series, but Alaska gave the Texters the business. By pushing Talk 'N Text, it validated the notion of coach Luigi Trillo and the rest of the coaching staff that what they had was working. It would only take seasoning and more preparation to push this team over the top.

Coming into the start of the Commissioner's Cup, the Aces were now favored to win the crown. But it wasn't easy. It’s hard to shake off the pain and defeat that the entire 2011 season was for Alaska. And the only way to do that, to push aside defeats and losing records, was to snag another crown, because with that crown would come closure.

Times were changing for the Alaska Aces. Too often in the past, when they were be pushed around, they faltered. Now however, they push back. The team shed the images and labels that were put on them, as they powered through the elimination phase and quickly disposed of the Air21 Express to set-up a grudge match against the San Mig Coffee Mixers in the semifinals.

Versus the Mixers, they came face-to-face with a sharp reminder of their past. From a legendary former head coach to players whom the Aces went to battle with before, it was a highly emotional setting.

However, Alaska prevailed, unleashing an unforgiving defensive scheme on Denzel Bowles, James Yap and the rest of the Mixers. It was a foreshadowing of what was to come for Barangay Ginebra in the Finals.

The Aces advanced to the last series, but it wasn'tenough to just merely be there. They had to end this with a championship.

And that's exactly what they did.

Even though they were outnumbered in the stands and in stars on the floor, the Aces stood together. When Ginebra surged forward in game three and looked to get inspiration and momentum from a halftime lead, the Aces did not let up, unleashing a 24-2 bomb to end the game, and Barangay Ginebra’s upset-minded hopes.


As a team, the Aces were merciless and undeterred in their singleminded need to win a ring. Jvee Casio, Sonny Thoss, Cyrus Baguio and the rest of the guys (and that includes devoted dad Calvin Abueva) are some of the nicest people in the league. You can see that in how they held their children or hugged their wives and fiancés during their championship celebration.

But this conference, something happened every time they put on an Aces jersey. They became part of a mean red machine, ready to prove that they belonged and that their time has come.

It was sacrifice in the form of weakside help brought by import Rob Dozier to help Sonny Thoss in the post. It was dedication to craft seen in Jvee Casio’s brilliant Finals performance or Dondon Hontiveros’ epic comeback vs Rain or Shine in April. It was teamwork exhibited by Tony Dela Cruz starting games and barely playing any minutes after. It was preparation seen by Trillo, assistant coaches Alex Compton, Topex Robinson and Louie Alas as their specialties in defense, motivation and offense mixed together like a fine cocktail. It was passion and desire seen by Calvin Abueva taking it upon himself to draw the ire of opposing fans and players, to draw them away from their gameplan and fall into the Aces’ trap.

This conference, the Aces proved that while stars can win games, a team composed of players willing to do whatever it takes to triumph can be special. Alaska celebrated their championship, but they also celebrated in the knowledge that their story ended on their own terms, and with their own conclusion written.

There would be no more talk about former head coaches, or players who had moved on. The story was finally about the present, and most assuredly their bright future.

Just as they had planned, all along. - AMD, GMA News