Former Alaska players Calvin Abueva, Johnny Abarrientos saddened, shocked by Aces' PBA exit

Calvin Abueva and Johnny Abarrientos, two of the many storied players ever to don the Alaska jersey, admitted that they regret to see their former club bidding the PBA goodbye after 35 fruitful seasons.

The Aces on Wednesday shocked the Philippine basketball community when they announced they are retiring from the league, leaving behind 14 titles highlighted by a rare grand slam feat in 1996.

Abueva, who is now with Magnolia Pambansang Manok Hotshots, lifted his first-ever PBA championship trophy when Alaska won the 2013 Commissioners' Cup.

"It's a good journey with the team and I appreciated everything they have done and I have done with them," said Abueva following the Hotshots' 112-109 win over NLEX.

"It's saddening because they have a name here in the PBA and we can't forget about that."

Abarrientos, meanwhile, said he had both good and bad times with the Alaska franchise. Abarrientos had nine titles with the Aces, but the ballclub traded him back in 2001. Alongside Poch Juinio, he was sent to Pop cola for Ali Peek and Jon Ordonio.

Still, he was grateful to the club for giving him the opportunity to play in the professional scene where he is touted as one of the best guards of his generation.

"First of all, I was also shocked by the news. Actually, I even had to ask Jolas (Jojo Lastimosa) if the news was true because I've been hearing that news since last year but it wasn't serious at the time," Abarrientos, now Magnolia's assistant coach, said.

"Of course, there was a time I didn't feel good towards Alaska because, even until now, I don't know the reasons for the trade. But everything happened for a reason." 

—MGP, GMA News