Cariaso’s number 22

Players in the Philippine Basketball Association make careers as offensive threats or as lockdown defenders. Cariaso made his mark at both ends of the court and is no doubt one of the greatest two-way players in the history of the league.

Cariaso is the only player in the history of the PBA to have made the Mythical Team selection with four different teams. He made the First Team in 1999 with Mobiline; and in 2002 and 2003 with the Coca-Cola Tigers. Cariaso also made the PBA Second Team in 1996 with Alaska and in 2000 with Tanduay.

He is also the only player in the history of the PBA to make the All Defensive Team four times with four different teams. He was elevated to the All Defensive Team in 1996 with Alaska, in 1997 with Mobiline, in 2000 with Tanduay and in 2002 with Coca-Cola.

In recognition of his achievements as well as his contributions not only to the team but also the league the Alaska Aces formally retired Jersey Number 22 of Cariaso in simple ceremonies during the halftime break of the semifinal game between the Aces and the Talk n Text Tropang Texters at the Araneta Coliseum.

Cariaso has had a long and storied career. He joined the league in 1995 with the Alaska Aces. He then moved to Mobiline, Tanduay, Coca-Cola and back to Alaska. He won PBA titles with Coca-Cola and Alaska.

He was also selected to the RP team twice, with the RP-Hapee and RP-Selecta teams. More career milestones: he was Rookie of the Year in 1995; has 5,000 points; 2,000 Defensive Rebounds; and 2,000 assists.

As a veteran in the league, Jeff saw his role change through the years. From the young, athletic newcomer who provided the final piece to a winning team with the Alaska team of the 90s. To the go-to guy and first option on offense with the Mobiline, Tanduay and Coca-Cola teams. To his present position as the elder statesman, veteran presence and locker room leader of the present Alaska team.

Before the 2009-2010 PBA season even began, Cariaso announced his impending retirement saying the following season was to be his last.

It was only fitting therefore that Cariaso was given the PBA award for his 5,000th assist during the past Philippine Cup. The award recognizes the unselfishness of a player who will forgo scoring to help others score instead.

“That (assists) is an aspect that I guess you naturally put more emphasis in as you get older in your career,” said Cariaso. “It’s good, particularly because it’s a different feeling. It shows you are willing to share the ball. So it is something that I am proud of and it is nice to be acknowledged.”

Cariaso was part of the Alaska champion team which won the 2007 Fiesta Cup crown. But he sat in the sidelines with an injured leg virtually willing his team to victory.

Alaska has not yet won a title after that crown but came tantalizingly close these past few conferences. In fact the team placed second in back-to-back Philippine Cup campaigns first to the Talk n Text Tropang Texters last year and against the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants just this past conference.

Cariaso said there is no bigger stage in the league than playing for a championship. The final series is the big opportunity for players to prove themselves. He is hoping for that one final appearance in this 2010 PBA Fiesta Cup.

“Players work hard to get to the finals. You never know when you are able to come back. When you are going reach the finals again so why not just put everything on the line and then see what happens,” said Cariaso.

The Aces won the coveted Grand Slam in 1996 and by end of the season, Bong Hawkins, Jojo Lastimosa and Cariaso were included in the Mythical team while Johnny Abarrientos went on to capture the Most Valuable Player award.

Cariaso remains the only active player remaining from that Alaska Grand Slam team of 1996. It is only fitting that the team finally retire is Number 22 and that he retire as a player from the PBA with the Alaska Aces.