The Alaska Aces have announced they are leaving the PBA after more than three decades of basketball.
“We thought long and hard before making this final decision. However, we believe that this will allow us to focus our resources on providing affordable nutrition for Filipino families,” said Alaska Milk Corporation chairman Fred Uytengsu. The decision is also aligned with the global directive of AMC’s parent company, Royal FrieslandCampina, to implement an organizational transformation that ensures long-term business sustainability.
“The Aces franchise will always be very special to me. I had the good fortune of starting this franchise at the age of 24 and learned so much about team dynamics and building championship teams from the players and coaching staff. We take great pride in our participation and success all these years and know we won with integrity. I also want to thank the PBA for our many years of partnership and wish the league continued success in the years to come,” Uytengsu shared.
Alaska joined the PBA in 1986. The fabled franchise has won 14 PBA championships and a grand slam title in 1996.
The Aces, who also carried the monikers Air Force, Milkmen, and Hills Bros. Coffee Kings, last won a title in the 2013 PBA Commissioner's Cup, sweeping Barangay Ginebra in the best-of-five finals.
