Team History

Post-grand slam

Alaska suffered one of the biggest losses prior to the 1997 season when Jeffrey Cariaso signed with the rebuilding Mobiline Phone Pals. The Alaska Milkmen failed to enter the semis of the All-Filipino Cup.

In the Commissioner’s Cup, the first ten games of the tournament was bannered by former Ginebra import Sylvester Gray. He was eventually replaced by Kevin Holland and the Milkmen advanced to the Finals against Gordon’s Gin Boars. The Boars took a 3-0 series lead but Alaska managed to win the next two games to cut the deficit to 3-2. However, Gordon’s won Game Six as Alaska fell short again.

In the Governor’s Cup, the Alaska milkmen landed Kenneth Duremdes from Pop Cola and the 24 year old became a perfect replacement for Jeffrey Cariaso. Duremdes had long been under the shadows of Vergel Meneses in the Swift/Pop Cola team. Alaska, with Sean Chambers once again as import, defeated Purefoods to win the title in five.

In 1998, Alaska once again dominated the All-Filipino Cup and took on San Miguel in the finals. The Beermen led 3-2 after a strong showing by Nelson Asaytono in game five. But, Alaska won the next two games to capture another title.

Dreadlocked wearing Devin Davis powered Alaska in the Commissioners Cup as the team advanced to the finals in a rematch against the Beermen. Devin Davies won Best Import honors. Duremdes was named as the Best Player of the Conference while defeating San Miguel in six games for their ninth title, despite losing Bong Hawkins to a season-ending injury.

Already, people were hyping a possible “Grand Slam II” for the Alaska Milkmen. However, the 1998 Asian Games was set in December 1998 and Tim Cone was named as head coach of the RP team. Cone tapped Abarrientos, Duremdes and Lastimosa to lead the Philippine team.

Assistant Coaches Jun Reyes and Dickie Bachmann took over for Alaska. Despite a strong showing by shooter Roel Gomez, the Milkmen failed to enter the semis of both the special 1998 PBA Centennial Cup and the season-ending Governors Cup.

Nevertheless, Kenneth Duremdes was named the Most Valuable Player at the end of the year, the second Alaska Milkman 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 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 eliminated the Aces in five games. Alaska finished third in the tournament.

Alaska advanced to the Finals of the Governor’s Cup with Chambers at the helm but San Miguel led by Lamont 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 1 of this series but the Milkmen won the next four games to win the series. Alaska also received the Centennial Cup trophy, along with the All-Filipino crown.

The Milkmen however failed to enter the Finals of the Commissioner’s Cup after they were eliminated by Beermen in the semi-finals.

back to top