Alaska Aces team owner Fred Uytengsu said it may be harder but he wanted his team to win, but only with integrity.
The President and CEO of Alaska Milk explained the importance of winning the right way when the Alaska Aces celebrated three decades of excellence as a franchise competing in the Philippine Basketball Association at the Enderun College, Bonifacio Global City.
Rather than trying to win at all cost Uytengsu said the Aces would rather live up to their responsibility as being role models to the youth.
The highlight of the celebration last Thursday, Nov. 12 was the naming of the 30 greatest Alaska players led by members of the 1996 Grand Slam team which included Jojo Lastimosa, Johnny Abarrientos, Bong Hawkins and Jeff Cariaso.
Also named among the 30 Greatest Alaska players were Rhoel Gomez, Kenneth Duremdes, Rodney Santos, Devin Davis, Ali Peek, Mike Cortez, Yoyoy Villamin, Willie Pearson, Biboy Ravanes, Boy Cabahug, Bong Alvarez, Ricric Marata, Eugene Quilban, Sean Chambers, Poch Juinio, Diamon Simpson, Reynel Hugnatan, Willie Miller, Rossell Ellis, Sonny Thoss, Tony dela Cruz, LA Tenorio, Rob Dozier, Cyrus Baguio, Dondon Hontiveros, Jvee Casio and Calvin Abueva.
The Alaska team owner noted that Alaska has been loyal to its players who display the same loyalty to the team.
“Perhaps even more than our 14 PBA titles, I am proud of the fact that our success has been achieved with just a few players. Only 154 players have worn the Alaska jersey. That means that our players stay with us for a very long time. Players that have lived up to our core values of teamwork, come in and stay,” said Uytengsu.
The team owner recalled how Alaska first joined the PBA in 1986 and how it has grown over the years to become one of the league’s most storied franchises.
“It has been an incredible journey. When we first started in 1986, our goal was simply to have a basketball team wear the Alaska jersey and augment our formal advertising,” he said.
Uytengsu, then 24 years old, recalled how his father entrusted him with the job of forming and running the basketball franchise that would augment the company’s marketing strategy.
He also cited important numbers to remember. These included 1,606 games, with 879 wins for a 54.7 winning percentage, 154 players and 53 imports, 28 finals appearances, 14 PBA championships, nine head coaches and six jerseys retired in 30 years as one organization committed to excellence.
“Over the years our goal shifted from just having a team in the league to a desire to win. Back in the ‘80s we did not have the most talented team. In order to win we had to do it with teamwork. That has been one of the hallmarks of the Alaska Aces all these years,” said Uytengsu.
“We espoused the importance of teamwork and respect for one another on the team as the basis for our success. The cliche that there is no I in team is something that resonates with us clearly. We not me.”
Alaska won its first PBA title in 1991. It would go on to win eight more PBA championships including the PBA Grand Slam. For its achievements the team was dubbed the team of the decade.