By Brian Yalung
Time is winding down on the Alaska Aces who announced on Feb. 16, 2022, that they were leaving the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). The decision was allegedly in line with the new direction of the company under the ownership of FrieslandCampina.
Since that announcement, tributes have been pouring on the PBA franchise which first joined the league in 1986 as an expansion team after San Miguel took a leave of absence from the league.
Alaska has since racked up 14 PBA titles, including a rare grand slam in 1996 architected by now Barangay Ginebra-coach Tim Cone.
With only a couple of games left, most expected the Aces to just simply go through the motions of finishing the 2021 PBA Governors’ Cup. But instead, it appears that Alaska has approached it differently and is playing with renewed energy.
Alaska started a winning run, first defeating the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters on Feb. 17, 80-74, and then following that up with a huge come-from-behind win over Terrafirma, 102-97, on Feb. 19.
At this point, someone who was up to date with the happening in basketball is former PBA and current DLSU Green Archers.
Pumaren appeared on the Sports Bytes PH podcast on Feb. 20, a day after Alaska won over Terrafirma, and gave his take on the Aces’ run.
“I’ll tell you, I’m not going to be surprised if they win the championship this conference. It’s going to be a rallying point for them and it’s because of their culture… when their backs are against the wall. I think Mr. [Wilfred Jr.] Uytengsu was able to explain things and the players understand it. Instead of just sulking and medyo magtatampo, they’ve won two straight games and I think everyone’s surprised with that,” the two-time PBA champion coach quipped.
“Everybody is expecting Alaska to just roll out and die because of the announcement. But that’s why I am telling you, I am not going to be surprised if they win it. Who knows?” Pumaren added.
That two-game win was eventually snapped when the Aces lost to the NLEX Road Warriors on Feb. 23, 100-109. However, the Aces got back on track on Feb. 26 with another pulsating come-from-behind win, this time at the expense of the Meralco Bolts, 94-93.
In their last outing, RK Ilagan was the one who delivered the game-winner for the Aces with 4.7 seconds left in the game.
Looking ahead, Pumaren pointed out how the Aces appear to be using their impending exit as motivation rather than sulk. Regardless of how they finish the conference, it is clear that the Aces want to exit in style.
“Kasi kung hindi na sila motivated because of sa mangyayari sa kanila, they are worried. Pero hindi diba? They stayed positive, the team stayed positive and they still won. That’s why I’m saying, I’m not surprised kung makasingit, kung makapanalo,” Pumaren said.
