Team History

1991-1999: Alaska Milkmen

Arrival of Tim Cone

In 1989, American Earl Timothy Cone became the new coach of the Alaska Air Force after Adornado was fired during the season (owner Uytensu coached a won ballgame for the team). The year also saw the debut of Sean Chambers as Alaska’s import.

In 1990, Alaska advanced in the finals of the Third Conference against a young Purefoods team. Alaska imports then were Carlos Clark and Sean Chambers. After a 2-0 lead in the Best-of-five series, Alaska ‘s game collapsed as Purefoods won the next three games to clinch the title. During the annual draft, Alaska had the top pick and grabbed Alex Araneta out of the Ateneo de Manila University. Araneta played with Alaska until 1997 when he joined the Company as one of its sales managers.

In 1991, Eugene Quilban joined Alaska from the rookie draft to bolster the Alaska squad. After a third-place showing in the season’s All-Filipino Conference, Alaska returned to the finals of the Third Conference against crowd-favorite Ginebra San Miguel and former LA Laker 6’4’ guard Wes Matthews. Bong Alvarez and the Alaska Air Force team dominated the series that saw them winning the series 3-1 for their first title in team history.

Jojo Lastimosa was acquired in 1991 after being taken from Purefoods in a trade with Elmer Cabahug. Bong Alvarez was then eased out of the team when his one-on-one style did not suit the new offensive scheme being enforced by Tim Cone - the triangle offense. Furthermore, Bong’s image did not sit well with the overall image of the team. Quilban later also left Alaska for 7-Up, which he led to a finals loss to Swift.

Alaska managed one third place finish during the First Conference in 1992 . By then and with the departure of Alvarez, Quilban et al, the Alaska team mimicker was changed to The Milkmen.

Re-building Alaska

In the 1993 draft, the Alaska Milkmen drafted amateur league’s MVP and Far Eastern University point guard Johnny Abarrientos, an energetic and exciting little man who could drive to the basket against taller opponents. Alaska also acquired Dickie Bachmann and John Cardel from the De La Salle during that year.

While the team failed to get a place in any of the Conferences in 1993, it was the beginning of the Alaska team re-building as a young, fast, disciplined and truly professional team.

Alaska acquired Rene “Bong” Hawkins, Jr. from Sta Lucia in early 1994. The move of Hawkins from Sta. Lucia to Alaska resurrected the career of “The Hawk” who was to become one of the deadly “triumvirate” of Alaska, along with Jojo Lastimosa and Johnny Abarrientos.

The Upward Climb

The Alaska Milkmen placed third in the 1994 All-Filipino Conference, then lost to Purefoods in the Commissioner’s Cup Finals 4-1 to land in second place.

In the Governor’s Cup however, Alaska defeated Swift to win their second PBA title with Abarrientos, Lastimosa, Hawkins and import Sean Chambers leading the team.

Alaska made all it to the Finals of all the conferences of 1995.

In the All-Filipino Cup, the Alaska Milkmen lost during a heart-breaking seven-game tussle against Sunkist 4-3 as the Milkmen lost their poise during the last seconds of the game.

As fate would have it, the Alaska faced Swift once again in the Commissioner’s Cup. Ronnie Grandison led the Sunkist Juicers against the Derrick Hamilton-led Alaska Milkmen to win the Commissioner’s Cup crown.

But in the Governor’s Cup, the Milkmen overcame a 2-3 deficit to defeat San Miguel in seven games with a strong performance by Lastimosa. The Alaska Milkmen were the back-to-back Governor’s Cup champions.

Prior to the opening of the new season, Alaska got American-born Jeffrey Cariaso from the draft and added center Edward Juinio from U.P. to the team.

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