81-530: 1991 Third Conference 1994 Governors' 1995 Governors' 1996 All-Filipino 1996 Commissioner's 1996 Governors' 1997 Governors' 1998 All-Filipino 1998 Commissioner's 2000 All-Filipino 2003 Invitational 2007 Fiesta 2010 Fiesta 2013 Commissioner's The Alaska Aces were a professional basketball team in the Philippine Basketball Association since 1986 under
162-626: A 10–2 win–loss slate, the best record in the elimination round. After defeating the Adamson Falcons in the Final Four, Ateneo battled the UST Growling Tigers in a grueling three-game series. Black designed a play in their Game 1 victory. The play was a long inbound pass by Macky Escalona who found a wide-open Kramer underneath the basket for the victory. However, despite the historic Game 1 victory, they were unable to win
243-634: A 10–4 win–loss record in the eliminations (good for solo 2nd place and the last twice-to-beat advantage), a victory over the Adamson Falcons in the semifinals, and a sweep of the FEU Tamaraws in the finals, with a 72–49 blowout victory in Game 1 and a 65–62 title-clinching victory in Game 2 (in which the Eagles were threatened throughout the game). Later that year, he coached the Blue Eagles to winning
324-493: A battle for the No. 2 seed, which would have given them a twice to beat advantage had they won. Instead, they settled for the No. 3 seed, and were able to eliminate the defending champions UST Growling Tigers . The Blue Eagles then forced a do-or-die game against La Salle in the semifinals but lost. Later that year, he coached the Blue Eagles to winning the 2007 Collegiate Champions League national basketball title, where they defeated
405-499: A championship. He returned to the Philippines in 1982, playing 66 games for San Miguel Beer and averaged close to 43 points per contest. With him, locals Yoyong Martirez , Manny Paner , Marte Saldaña, and head coach Tommy Manotoc , San Miguel won the 1982 Invitational tournament against guest South Korea. In 1983, he played for Great Taste Coffee and averaged 38 points in 49 games played. Always considered an intelligent as well as
486-507: A coach, he piloted the Ateneo juniors to an NCAA championship and also once mentored the Blue Eagles. Among the players they choose from the pool were Arnie Tuadles and Ricky Relosa from Ginebra, Rudy Distrito , Marte Saldaña and Noli Banate from Magnolia, Alejo Alolor, Teddy Alfarero and Frankie Lim from Great Taste, and Dennis Abbatuan from Shell. In the PBA draft, as the newest member of
567-409: A commentator, often mixing a Tagalog word to his English analysis. After NBN was dropped as TV broadcaster, he was absorbed by new TV network Associated Broadcasting Company . He normally pairs with Mico Halili, Ed Picson , and Paolo Trillo . During the 2005–2006 and the 2006–2007 season, he was seen every Sunday on the halftime segment "Black's Board" where he dished out the week's highlights around
648-681: A fight but still loss in five games of the semis. In the Governors Cup, they were eliminated in the quarterfinals. Chambers retired three games into the Governors Cup. In a simple ceremony, the Aces retired his #20 jersey, becoming the second player in team history to have his number retired. Duremdes was borrowed by the Philippine National Team in 2002 and Lastimosa made his return to Alaska. The Aces, with Ron Riley and Montreal Dobbins as imports, but after 6 games, Dobbins
729-457: A hard time by the Shell team of Benjie Paras , Victor Pablo and import Kenny Redfield. The finals series went into a seventh and deciding game and Alaska's championship experience prove to be a key factor in winning, 83–77. Their import, Sean Chambers, was a late replacement for Derrick Hamilton , who was sent packing after traces of marijuana were discovered in his urine during the last stages of
810-472: A hard-working player, he became the recipient of the very first "Mr. 100% Award" in that season. Sportscaster Pinggoy Pengson dubbed him "That Old Black Magic" after a song from the 1950s. Two years later, he returned to play for Magnolia Quench Plus, norming 43.5 points per game, while scoring his career best 76 points. After Magnolia (later San Miguel Beer), left the league for a while, he played for rookie squad Alaska, after former Magnolia players were put in
891-797: A playing coach. But by 1987, he became San Miguel's full-time coach until 1996, when he left the Beermen. He won nine championships as head coach of San Miguel including a Grandslam in 1989 making San Miguel the winningest team in the PBA, coaching some of the best players in PBA history such as superstars Samboy Lim , Allan Caidic , Hector Calma , Ramon Fernandez , Ricky Brown , Ato Agustin and role players Alvin Teng , Yves Dignadice, Art dela Cruz, Franz Pumaren , Elmer Reyes, Jeffrey Graves, Pido Jarencio , Bobby Jose, Romy Lopez, Josel Angeles, Ricky Cui, Kevin Ramas , Bong Ravena , and Dong Polistico. In 1994, he
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#1732797626162972-518: A row since the Final Four started in 1994. Under his tutelage, the Blue Eagles finished the eliminations with a 13–1 win–loss record. They faced the UST Growling Tigers in the Final Four, with Ateneo winning, 69–66. Later on in the Finals, it was a rematch against their previous year's opponent, the FEU Tamaraws . Once again, his Ateneo Blue Eagles swept the series, with Ateneo winning, 82–64 in Game 1, and, 82–69 in Game 2. In 2012, months before
1053-590: A row this time in a rematch against their 2006 Finals opponent the UST Growling Tigers by sweeping the series with a score of 83–78 in Game 1, and 65–62 in Game 2. With this achievement, he became only the second coach in the history of the UAAP to win five straight UAAP championship after Baby Dalupan who have won seven straight championships (Season 28–34) with the UE Red Warriors . After winning five straight titles for Ateneo, Black returned to coaching in
1134-615: A terrible 0–8 finish in the Governor's Cup. he left Pop Cola after the season before being hired as Sta. Lucia Realtors head coach. In 2000, he led Sta. Lucia to its first finals appearance, losing to San Miguel in five games of the Commissioner's Cup. However, a year later, he coached the Realtors to its first championship, defeating the Beermen in the season ending Governor's Cup. After the 2002 season, he resigned as head coach of
1215-460: A way he could never have imagined. However, by the time he returned Mariano's call, Big Lew Massey had taken the job. But it did not take long before another Philippine Basketball Association club came calling. Tefilin's General Manager Frank Harn offered the same contract as Mariano and he immediately took the offer. In 1981, he made his PBA debut for Tefilin. In 14 games, he averaged an outstanding 51 point per game, but failed to lead his team to
1296-544: The 1980–81 season , averaging 2.7 points per game. In 1981, Black was playing in the Detroit Pistons' summer basketball league when he was offered a job on the other side of the world. " Jimmy Mariano , who was coach of Great Taste at the time, asked me if I wanted to come over and play in the Philippines," he said. The lure of guaranteed money, something the Pistons could not offer then, helped change his life in
1377-455: The 1997 PBA season started, Alaska lost three players who were integral part of the team that bagged four straight titles, they are Jun Reyes, whom Alaska dealt to Sta.Lucia in exchange for Boyet Fernandez, center Cris Bolado , who moved to Purefoods, and Jeffrey Cariaso, who was shipped to Mobiline. New acquisitions Dwight Lago, Rodney Santos and Boyet Fernandez would be hampered by their unfamiliarity with Alaska's vaunted triangle offense. In
1458-630: The 1998 season after defeating the Ron Jacobs-coached San Miguel Beermen twice in the finals of the first two conferences. They came back from a 2–3 series deficit in the All-Filipino Cup to win in seven games. In the Commissioner's Cup, dreadlock-sporting Devin Davis became the only other Alaska import in the 1990s besides Sean Chambers to lead the team to the crown. The Milkmen won their 9th PBA title, tying
1539-548: The 2010 Philippine Collegiate Championship title, this time against the Adamson Falcons , earning his team their third national championship under his tutelage. In 2011, he once again steered the Ateneo Blue Eagles to a rare Four-peat as head coach for UAAP Season 74 , joining the UST Growling Tigers and the De La Salle Green Archers as the only schools to win four basketball titles in
1620-706: The Barangay Ginebra San Miguel led by another of the winningest coaches, Tim Cone , but lost to Barangay Ginebra in Game 6. The next Governors' Cup , he led the Bolts to its best finish in the eliminations with a 9 – 2 win – loss record for the 1st seed and a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals. Meralco then defeated the Blackwater Elite in two games and the Star Hotshots in the semifinals for three straight games and booked
1701-797: The CBA , NBA , and PBA . He's the former head coach for the Meralco Bolts . He has since settled in the Philippines . He is also a former head coach of the San Miguel Beermen , Mobiline Phone Pals , Pop Cola 800s , Sta. Lucia Realtors and Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters . He has also coached the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the UAAP . During his playing career, his moniker was Mr. 100% . Black played high school basketball for
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#17327976261621782-1031: The Cardinal Gibbons School in Baltimore where he graduated in 1975. [1] He then played for Saint Joseph's College in Pennsylvania from 1975 to 1979, averaging 17 points per game in his playing career. Black later played in Continental Basketball Association from 1979 to 1982 for the Lancaster Red Roses and the Philadelphia Kings. He also played for the Detroit Pistons in the National Basketball Association , but played only three games in
1863-612: The Pop Cola Panthers for forward Ali Peek and guard Jon Ordonio. In the draft, Alaska used the fifth pick to draft Fil-Am John Arigo . The Aces also signed Duremdes to a reported 48 million peso deal for seven years. In the All-Filipino conference, the Aces were eliminated in the quarterfinals by Abarrientos and Pop Cola. In the Commissioners Cup, a strong showing by Peek gave defending champion San Miguel
1944-744: The San Mig Super Coffee Mixers ( 2013–14 ) as one of only four franchises to achieve the feat. The Aces last tournament was the 2021 PBA Governors' Cup where they were eliminated by the NLEX Road Warriors in the quarterfinal round in March 2022. The franchise was bought by Converge ICT on March 23, 2022, to become the Converge FiberXers . After the temporary departure of the Magnolia franchise prior to
2025-560: The University of the Visayas Green Lancers. In 2008, which was season 71 of the UAAP, he led the Blue Eagles to a 13–1 elimination round record, and won the championship over the defending champions La Salle by sweeping the series with Ateneo winning, 69–61 in Game 1, and, 62–51 in Game 2. This was Ateneo's first UAAP title since winning it in 2002 . Months later, he coached the Blue Eagles to another championship in
2106-506: The "Bruise Brothers" to form a force inside the paint. Alaska was able to hire Sean Chambers , who played with the American selection in two previous PBA/IBA series, as their import to replaced their first choice Carl Lott in the 1989 Open Conference . Chambers led Alaska to a third-place finish in his first PBA stint. American Tim Cone , a member of the PBA's vintage panel, accepted the coaching chores for Alaska Milk on full-time starting
2187-662: The 1987 All-Filipino Conference, the Coffee Kings surprisingly made it to the finals against corporate rival Great Taste Coffee Makers . This mark the birth of the tandem known as the "Bruise Brothers" in Yoyoy Villamin and Ricky Relosa, both players during their earlier years in the PBA were the promising forwards of legendary teams Crispa and Toyota. Villamin played alongside Abet Guidaben and Philip Cezar for Crispa while Relosa were teammates with Ramon Fernandez and Abe King at Toyota. The Coffee Kings were swept in
2268-456: The Aces in the All-Filipino and made it to the finals. After winning Game 1, the Aces lost the next three games to settle another runner-up finish. In the 2003 PBA Draft, Alaska shocked the league by trading their superstar, Kenneth Duremdes to the Sta. Lucia Realtors for the fifth pick of the first round. This enabled Alaska to get Brandon Cablay as the team's top draft pick. The Aces also held
2349-531: The All-Filipino Conference. Alaska has long without a coach when Bogs Adornado was sacked after the elimination round of the first conference and team manager Joel Aquino handled the team on interim basis. Alaska continues to struggle despite the mixture of veterans and young players in the roster and team owner Wilfred Uytengsu could not hide his disappointment when the Milkmen went winless in
2430-484: The All-Filipino Cup, the Milkmen were eliminated from the semifinals for the first time in four years. They return to the finals in the Commissioner's Cup but lost to Gordon's Gin Boars (formerly Ginebra) in six games. Alaska was able to retain the only crown left in their grandslam conquest last year by winning their fourth straight Governor's Cup trophy. Late in the eliminations, they acquired veteran center Jack Tanuan and
2511-469: The All-Filipino, the Milkmen was eliminated by expansion team Tanduay in the semis. In the Commissioner's Cup, Devin Davis made his return to the team, but the young San Miguel team of Danny Ildefonso and Danny Seigle conspired with their import, Terquin Mott , to eliminate the Aces in five games. They finished third in the tournament. Alaska advanced to the Finals of the Governor's Cup with Chambers at
Alaska Aces (PBA) - Misplaced Pages Continue
2592-409: The Blue Eagles finished third under Sandy Arespacochaga , school officials hired him as the Blue Eagles' new head coach for the 2005 campaign , the 35th coach in its history. He led the Blue Eagles to a 10–4 win–loss record in his first season, but they were eliminated by the De La Salle Green Archers , who had a twice to beat advantage against them. In the 69th season , he led the Blue Eagles to
2673-477: The Bolts in 2014–15 Philippine Cup, his team clinched the top six in the eliminations with a 6–5 win–loss record. They entered the quarterfinals as the sixth seed with twice-to-beat advantage over Purefoods and dethroned the defending champions in the process. Few days after, the Bolts lost to Alaska in the knockout round. On the 2016 Governors' Cup Finals , Black returned to the championship series once again and led Meralco to their first finals appearance to face
2754-454: The Commissioner's Cup, he became the coach of the struggling Pop Cola squad. He led the 800's to two third-place finishes with Vergel Meneses , Bonel Balingit, and Kenneth Duremdes on the team. he also suited up for Pop Cola, probably his last PBA game, in a third place game against Shell . He scored 10 points, including a three-pointer, that gave the 800s its second consecutive third-place run. In 1999, Pop Cola struggled all through, including
2835-543: The Conference honors. In the Reinforced Conference, Alaska struggled in the tournament and was eliminated by Duremdes and Sta. Lucia in the quarters. Alaska paraded former NBA journeyman Galen Young for the 2004 Fiesta Conference. The Aces placed second after the elimination round of the tournament. But, they failed to enter the finals of the said tournament winning only one game in three outings in
2916-645: The Fiesta Conference. After the Aces placed second behind Team Pilipinas in the Brunei Sultan's Cup, with Dela Cruz playing for the said team, the team was considered as one of the top contenders to win the upcoming season. However, they went on a slide after a good start. After Alaska blowing a 28-point lead and losing to the Purefoods Chunkee Giants , the team went on a downhill since. With McClary's decline starting to show, he
2997-406: The Fiesta Conference. However, his inconsistent game led to his replacement by former Chicago Bull Dickey Simpkins . The addition of Simpkins helped Alaska climb into third place at the end of the classification round. The Aces faced Red Bull Thunder in the semis. A back injury sustained by Simpkins, after being elbowed in the back by Dorian Peña , prevented him from playing at full strength during
3078-486: The Hotdogs. The Milkmen went up 2–0 in the best-of-five title series and on a threshold of winning their first trophy, but Purefoods came back and win the last three games to capture the 1990 PBA third conference crown. 1991:The JOLAS Era a.k.a. The Helicopter and Mr. Clutch. Beginning the 1991 PBA season , the team let go of its vital cog, Yoyoy Villamin, who was traded along with Ric-Ric Marata to Sarsi. Elmer Cabahug
3159-474: The Milkmen failed to enter the semis of both the special 1998 PBA Centennial Cup and the season-ending Governor's Cup. Duremdes was named the Most Valuable Player at the end of the year, the second Alaska Milkmen to win the coveted individual award. With the arrival of some talented Filipino-American cagers in the league, the Milkmen opted to stick with the same core for the 1999 season . In
3240-414: The Milkmen finally won their first PBA title, winning the best of five series, three games to one. Alaska import Sean Chambers got the better of his counterpart, Ginebra import Wes Matthews , in the four-game series. In 1992, Alaska owned the second pick in the draft and they choose the burly 6'4" Stevenson Solomon, who had been in the mold of a Yoyoy Villamin and was part of the national team that regain
3321-533: The October 18 game against Great Taste which they won, 129–115. Hills Bros were in their second finals stint after beating the Billy Ray Bates led-Ginebra in a playoff game on December 1, 1987. They faced San Miguel Beermen (formerly Magnolia) in the Reinforced Conference championship series and after winning Game One, they lost the next four games and finished bridesmaid for the second straight conference of
Alaska Aces (PBA) - Misplaced Pages Continue
3402-588: The PBA, with the star-studded Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters . While coaching the Texters, he became the latest member of the 500-win coaching club. He also guided the Texters to their third-straight All-Filipino crown for the 2012–13 PBA season. In 2014, the teams under MVP group reshuffles its coaching staff. Black was assigned to be the coach for the Meralco Bolts, while Jong Uichico replaced him as head coach for Talk 'N Text. In his first conference with
3483-409: The Realtors with longtime assistant, and friend Alfrancis Chua elevated as the new coach of the team. During his coaching days, Black was even hired by PBA TV broadcasters as a guest analyst of selected games. After leaving Sta. Lucia in 2003, he was hired by new TV network National Broadcasting Network as their analyst for PBA games . He normally was paired with Mico Halili and did quite well as
3564-649: The SEA Games basketball gold in Manila. Another national player, Allen Sasan, was chosen by Alaska in the first round. Despite a stronger lineup compared to the previous year, and with Lastimosa and Alvarez playing together for one full season, the Milkmen were eliminated in the All-Filipino and third conferences. Alaska previously had the best point guards in the past four years to back up their veteran and starting point guard Frankie Lim , Ricric Marata for two years, then Eugene Quilban and Gilbert 'Jun' Reyes (whom Quilban
3645-559: The annual Philippine University Games, defeating the EAC Generals . In 2009, he coached the Blue Eagles to three titles. In UAAP Season 72 , the Blue Eagles won their second straight UAAP Men's Basketball Championship, won against the UE Red Warriors , and again with a 13–1 win loss record. This was followed by back-to-back titles in the University Games, this time won against St. Francis of Assisi College. The third title
3726-518: The championship. They lost to the Tigers in Game 2 by a large margin, and then in Game 3 in overtime. In 2007, during the UAAP's 70th season , in spite of a lack of talent, he led the Eagles to a 9–5 standing. However, the Blue Eagles still lost in crucial games; they were unable to secure the No. 2 Seed due to their loss to the NU Bulldogs , and lost to the returning De La Salle Green Archers in
3807-563: The famed Toyota Super Corollas as the third winningest ball club. The possible 'Grand Slam II' for the team didn't happen with the 1998 Asian Games set in December and Cone being named head coach, Abarrientos, Duremdes and Lastimosa were tapped to lead the Philippine team. Assistants Jun Reyes and Dickey Bachmann took over for Alaska. But despite a strong showing from the slasher Rodney Santos and their resident shooter, Rhoel Gomez,
3888-621: The finals by Great Taste in three games. Coach Nat Canson resigned three weeks after the championship series. Former Tanduay coach Arturo Valenzona , who himself was ax from the job by Tanduay management after the Rhum Makers were eliminated, accepted the offer to coach the Hills Bros. Coffee Kings starting the third conference. Parading a sweet-shooting import Jose Slaughter , who breaks the previous record for most three-point shots converted with 14 triples as he finished with 79 points in
3969-459: The first overall pick in the draft and selected De La Salle University-Manila star point guard Mike Cortez , who was considered as the next great point guard in the Alaska franchise's history, following Johnny Abarrientos. During halftime of their season opening game, Alaska retired Jojo Lastimosa's #6 jersey. During the offseason, Lastimosa announced his retirement after playing 15 seasons in
4050-532: The former import and coach of the defunct Magnolia quintet who signed a one-year contract with the new team. Alaska placed fourth in their inaugural conference and missed out the semifinal round in the second and third conferences, placing fifth and sixth. A strike within Alaska Milk Corporation led the team to play under a different brand. AMC brought in Hills Bros. Coffee to mitigate
4131-425: The helm but San Miguel, led by Lamont "The Helicopter" Strothers , defeated the Milkmen in six games despite Alaska getting an early 2–1 series lead. In 2000 , Jojo Lastimosa was traded to Pop Cola as part of the team's future plan to rebuild. Alaska won their 10th PBA title at the expense of Purefoods in the All-Filipino Conference. Purefoods won Game one of this series but the Milkmen won the next four games to win
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#17327976261624212-413: The high-flying Kenneth Duremdes in exchange for Dwight Lago and Boyet Fernandez from Pop Cola . Duremdes became a perfect replacement for Cariaso and in the title series against Purefoods Carne Norte Beefies, the Milkmen had an easier time in winning four games to one after losing the series opener. Alaska showed no mercy in a 94–66 rout in Game five. The Milkmen were in a bid for a second grandslam in
4293-488: The last among the original milkmen, decided to moved out and joined the Purefoods TJ Hotdogs. The beginning of what turn out to be a dynasty in the second part of the 1990s started in the 1994 season . The Milkmen in the middle of last year acquired forward Bong Hawkins from Sta. Lucia Realtors . The team selected 6'5" center Poch Juinio in the 1994 PBA draft . Alaska would win their second PBA title in
4374-406: The league and Philippine basketball as well. He also did several shoots about basketball basics in a segment called Burlington Basketball 101 for ABC's pregame show known as PBA Gamebol. Outside of commentary, he is known as an endorser for Burlington, a known sock product. In 2004, Black was hired by the Ateneo Blue Eagles as its team consultant. But after a disappointing 2004 season, in which
4455-562: The league, they had the first crack and Alaska selected Rey Cuenco as the number one overall pick. In the second and third rounds, they choose Ludovico Valenciano and Reynaldo Ramos. Their very first two imports in the first conference of the season were the returning Donnie Ray Koonce and Jerry Eaves , a third round draft pick by the Utah Jazz in 1982 and who played for Utah's entire 82-game regular season in his rookie year. Both were handpicked by Alaska coaching consultant Norman Black ,
4536-467: The league. He became one of the team's assistant coaches under coach Cone's era. In the All-Filipino, Alaska failed in its bid to enter the Finals as they were eliminated by Talk 'N Text in a grueling five-game series. However, the Aces won the third-place trophy via a blowout in expense of the San Miguel Beermen . In the Invitational tournament, Alaska had to play in the qualifying round to enter
4617-476: The new franchise. After a short while, he returned to San Miguel as their playing coach in some import-laden conferences while acting as a full-time coach in the All-Filipino Conferences. In 1989, he played and coached the Beermen to a rare Grand Slam, the third in PBA history. In 1990, he played his last complete season as a player before finally focusing his duties as head coach in 1991. "It
4698-558: The opening of the 75th season of the UAAP he announced that he would be leaving the Ateneo Blue Eagles right after UAAP Season 75 to go to the pros and to takeover the coaching duties of the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters from Coach Chot Reyes , who would be leaving the team to coach the Smart Gilas II . Black will stay as consultant for two years. At the end of the UAAP season, the Blue Eagles won another championship, their fifth in
4779-606: The ownership of Alaska Milk Corporation (AMC) and the owner of 14 PBA championships, tied with the Magnolia Hotshots for the third-most titles overall. They were one of the most popular teams in the league and the Philippines . The Aces won nine PBA championships in the 1990s, including a rare grand slam (winning three championships in one season) during the 1996 season , joining the Crispa Redmanizers ( 1976 , 1983 ), San Miguel Beermen ( 1989 ), and
4860-408: The season. Returning to Alaska Milk in the 1988 PBA season , the team signed three players from Shell; Rey Lazaro, Biboy Ravanes and Willie Pearson to strengthen its lineup. Before the start of the season, Bogs Adornado announces his retirement from active playing and was given recognition by the PBA in the opening day on March 20, 1988. Alaska placed third in the Open and All-Filipino Conference of
4941-475: The season. Bogs Adornado would replace Arturo Valenzona as the team's head coach beginning the third conference. The year 1989 was an exciting year for Alaska as the team drafted the high-leaping Paul Alvarez and the backcourt tandem of Ric-Ric Marata and Elmer Cabahug . Veteran center Abet Guidaben , who has been disgruntled in the last three months of the 1988 season following a bitter trade with Ramon Fernandez that sent him to Purefoods Hotdogs, has joined
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#17327976261625022-459: The semi-finals. In the 2004–05 season, the Aces managed to finished fourth in the qualifying round. After eliminating FedEx in the Wild-Card phase, they were swept by San Miguel in the quarters. During the tournament, Arigo and Peek were shipped to Coca-Cola for Jeffrey Cariaso and Reynel Hugnatan . Bong Hawkins also made his return to the Aces, reuniting him with Cariaso, assistant coach Jojo Lastimosa, and Cone. Alaska hired Leon Derricks for
5103-557: The semifinals of the 1990 All-Filipino Conference. They got rid of one of their veterans; Abet Guidaben, who was traded to Pepsi for Harmon Codiñera. In the third conference of the 1990 PBA season , Alaska finally advances in the finals for the third time in franchise history and their first since the 1987 season. Going up against the Purefoods Hotdogs , both teams were gunning for their first championship. Alaska had former Boston Celtic Carlos Clark and Sean Chambers as their imports to be pitted against Daren Queenan and Robert Rose of
5184-401: The semifinals. In the Governor's Cup, Alaska completed the PBA's fourth grandslam, defeating Ginebra San Miguel in five games. In the year-end awards, Johnny Abarrientos was named MVP, Bong Hawkins settled for the Mythical five with Jojo Lastimosa , Starting center Poch Juinio was the season's most improved player and Sean Chambers was a runaway winner of the best import award. Before
5265-439: The series. The Milkmen failed to enter the Finals of the Commissioner's Cup after they were eliminated by the Beermen in the semi-finals. As part of the league's move to strengthen its marketing through the PBA Properties, Alaska adopted a new moniker the Alaska Aces. Despite the change Alaska failed to reach the Finals of the Governor's Cup once again. Before the 2001 season , the Aces traded popular star Johnny Abarrientos to
5346-425: The series. Former Alaska Ace, Bryan Gahol , hit the last second shot in Game three to eliminate Alaska from the tournament. Prior to the start of the 2005–06 PBA season , the Aces built up their lineup by acquiring national team pool members, Tony dela Cruz and Rich Alvarez from the disbanding Shell Turbo Chargers . They also acquired the services of former Mobiline and Coca-Cola import Artemus "Tee" McClary for
5427-437: The start of the 1986 PBA season , the league was reduced to only five teams. Alaska Milk was accepted as the league's sixth member. Being a pro league newcomer, the ballclub was allowed to choose players from the pool presented by the PBA. The team was headed by Filipino-American owner Wilfred Steven Uytengsu , team manager Joel Aquino and their coach was Tony Vasquez, who played for Ateneo de Manila during his playing days and as
5508-468: The strike's impact on its brand. The ballclub, temporarily renamed as the Hills Bros. Coffee Kings, had a new coach in Nat Canson , who last coached the Gold Eagle Beer squad in 1984. Following Manila Beer's disbandment, the Coffee Kings acquired three players from the Brewmasters; Elpidio Villamin , Tim Coloso and sophomore Adonis Tierra. They also acquired three-time PBA MVP William 'Bogs' Adornado from Shell via trade and Ginebra discard Joey Marquez. In
5589-431: The third conference called Governors Cup, defeating Swift Mighty Meaties in six games. Swift, renamed Sunkist Orange Juicers in the 1995 PBA season , became Alaska's finals rival that year. They played in the championship in the first two conferences of the season and the Orange Juicers prevailed both times. The three consecutive finals meeting between the two teams was the first since Crispa and Toyota in 1975–1976. Alaska
5670-425: The tournament. The Aces swept the elimination round, winning all four of its games, to make it to the semis. In a one-game showdown, Alaska defeated Red Bull Barako to face Coca-Cola in the Finals. The Tigers won Game One of the series, but the Aces won the next two games to win their 11th PBA title, this time with a different set of players. Brandon Cablay was named as Finals MVP, while Ali Peek won Best Player of
5751-419: The year Jeffrey Cariaso converted two free throws with 0.6 of a second remaining in overtime of Game five and Purefoods up by one, 92–91, to win it in a fitting moment as Alaska won their first All-Filipino title and their fourth PBA crown. The Milkmen were in their seventh straight finals appearance when they go up against surprise finalist Formula Shell for the Commissioner's Cup title. The Milkmen were given
5832-445: Was able to stop Sunkist' quest for a grandslam by retaining the Governors Cup crown, defeating San Miguel Beermen in seven games. Alaska return to the All-Filipino Cup finals against Purefoods, who were back in the All-Filipino finals after missing out in 1995. The Milkmen were considered the underdogs before the best of seven title showdown. They outbattled a tough and gritty TJ Hotdogs and won in just five games. Last season's rookie of
5913-402: Was eventually replaced by the 3-point shooting Odell Bradley who showed some impressive scoring outputs. However, Alaska still finished seventh in the classification phase with a 7–9 record. The Aces swept Sta. Lucia in a best-of-three matchup in the wildcard phase before being swept in a best-of-five affair by eventual champion Red Bull Barako . 1991 PBA season The 1991 PBA season
5994-514: Was former ambassador Danding Cojuangco who asked me to become a head coach in 1985," Black relates, "I had no desire to be a coach back then." He went on to say that the former ambassador probably heard something in Black's voice while he was doing some analysis for the TV broadcast of the PBA that made Cojuangco believe he would be suited for coaching. His coaching career started around 1985 and 1986, as
6075-571: Was named head coach of the Philippine Team in the Hiroshima Asian Games, after the Beermen won the All-Filipino Cup. However, the country went home without a medal in basketball, after placing fourth. In 1996, with San Miguel needing an import, he played as a temporary import for the Beermen and scored 15 points. After almost a decade with San Miguel, he became the head coach of the young Mobiline Phone Pals in 1997. But after
6156-547: Was replaced by James Head , advanced to the finals of the Governor's Cup against Purefoods. The Aces led 2–0 in the seven-game series, but the TJ Hotdogs won the next three games. After Alaska tied it up in Game Six, Purefoods won Game seven to deny the Aces its 11th title. In the Commissioner's Cup, Ajani Williams and Chris Carawell bannered the Aces but was eliminated by Talk N' Text in the semi-finals. Duremdes returned for
6237-417: Was shipped to Purefoods and Alaska acquired the Hotdogs star player Jojo Lastimosa in return as he will team up with Paul Alvarez in which coach Tim Cone describes as unbeatable tandem. Alaska signed their two first round picks in the rookie draft, Alex Araneta and Eugene Quilban and their third rookie, Rhoel Gomez. There were criticisms on some of Alaska's moves during the off-season as they say experience
6318-468: Was supposed to win championships instead of the fountain of youth. After a third-place showing in the All-Filipino Conference, the Milkmen returned to the finals in the Third Conference with Paul Alvarez back in form after being idle for almost eight months, recuperating from the injury he suffered in 1990, in Game three of the title playoffs. Playing against crowd-favorite Ginebra San Miguel ,
6399-611: Was the 17th season of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). The muses for the participating teams are as follows: 1990 1990 Norman Black As head coach: As assistant coach: As consultant : Norman Augustus Black (born November 12, 1957) is a Consultant to the San Beda University Red Lions Basketball team playing in the NCAA Philippines. He is a former professional basketball player who played in
6480-620: Was the Blue Eagles' second national championship under his tutelage in the 2009 Philippine Collegiate Championship , the successor to the Collegiate Champions League, where they defeated the FEU Tamaraws In 2010, he won his first three-peat as a coach for Ateneo Blue Eagles for UAAP Season 73 , duplicating the Grand Slam feat when he was a coach for San Miguel Beermen in 1989. he led the Blue Eagles to
6561-523: Was traded for), all big names during their amateur days. In 1993, Alaska picked another point guard in the rookie draft as the third overall, former FEU Tamaraw Johnny Abarrientos , who has been making waves in the Philippine Basketball League , winning PBL titles for three seasons and was expected to follow the footsteps of Hector Calma and Ronnie Magsanoc in the pros. He will be the starting point guard of Alaska as Frankie Lim,
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