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Former, current Alaska players react to team's upcoming PBA exit
For more than three decades, the Alaska franchise has been a home to many of Philippine basketball's stars, fulfilling the dreams of those who want to play in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).
With the team announcing on Tuesday their exit from the PBA, former and current players took to social media to express their reactions.
Jeron Teng, who was drafted in 2017, said they will make Alaska's last conference in the league special.
"This will be our last conference as Alaska Aces, [and] will definitely make it count," he said in a tweet.
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
Teng also thanked Alaska "for giving [him] a home for the last four years," adding that it has been an honor to play for the team.
Alaska's current import in the Governors' Cup Olu Ashaolu echoed Teng, saying this will also be "The Last Dance," inspired by the documentary on the final years of Michael Jordan with the Chicago Bulls.
Barangay Ginebra assistant coach Richard del Rosario, who had a stint with the Aces, shared the values the team upholds.
"Professionalism. Integrity. Discipline," Del Rosario said. "These values are sacred when you play for @wsuytengsu (Wilfred S. Uytengsu, Alaska team owner) and the @alaska_aces. I'm sad to see this proud franchise bid farewell to the PBA but as the old saying goes, the memories will stay forever."
Professionalism. Integrity. Discipline. These values are sacred when you play for @wsuytengsu and the @alaska_aces. I’m sad to see this proud franchise bid farewell to the PBA but as the old saying goes, the memories will stay forever.
— Richard del Rosario (@charddelrosario) February 16, 2022
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Answering a fan's question on what will happen to the players after the franchise heads out of the PBA, Maverick Ahanmisi in a TikTok video cited different scenarios.
However, his ultimate wish is "At the end of this all, hopefully everybody ends up with good jobs and everybody ends up coming out of this thing the right way."
@mavahanmisi_ Reply to @mattmacarubbo Wish I knew more #fyp #foryou #viral #basketball #thelastdance ? original sound - ????????????????????????????????????????????
Former player Nic Belasco, meanwhile, said he was sad about Alaska's announcement.
"I've been reflecting all day on the 5 years I spent with Alaska, full of great memories and 2 championship rings. Boss Fred set the bar high for running a classy franchise. It’s the end of an era," he wrote in a tweet.
Former player Dondon Hontiveros, who won a championship with Alaska back in the 2013 Commissioner's Cup, also shared Alaska's statement in his Instagram stories and put a heartbreak emoji in the post.
Former player JVee Casio, who was with the Aces for almost nine years, also thanked the franchise.
Ken Bono, who was drafted by Alaska in 2007, said he is "proud to have been part of a great basketball institution."
I began my PBA journey with the Alaska franchise. Proud to have been part of a great basketball institution. Thank you, Alaska Aces! https://t.co/S143uyNo9p
— Ken Bono (@realkenbono) February 16, 2022
For 35 seasons, the Alaska franchise has won 14 PBA titles, including a grand slam in 1996.
—MGP, GMA News
