Alaska’s passionate team owner Wilfred Uytengsu Jr. is proud to declare that his Aces have always been about winning with integrity amid the “underhanded tactics” that have resulted in “an unleveled playing field” in the PBA.
Uytengsu Jr. was the recipient of the first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award during the 25th PBA Press Corps Awards on Monday night at Novotel in Cubao. Part of his speech mentioned some of the issues the league has faced before.
“Over the years, we and the PBA have been challenged with circumstances and controversies and that could and should have been mitigated. Circumstances that led to an unleveled playing field,” said Uytengsu Jr. in his lengthy speech.
“This started with the Fil-Sham debacle, where players with Filipino-like surnames were playing in the PBA with fake birth certificates and passports. Unfortunately, the league was slow to respond to this. In more recent years, we’ve seen dubious trades that created an even more unleveled playing field, creating further disparity in the league.
“I can tell you that we always respected the league and honored the game by not participating in these tactics,” he added.
One of the most popular teams in the country, Alaska have been in the league since 1986. Over the next 23 years, the franchise won 14 championships on top of 31 finals appearances.
For the sports patron, he vowed that his team will continue to honor the game as a prime example for the future generations to come.
“I believe we have a greater responsibility than just winning games, and that is to set an example and show the next generation how to do things the right way,” said Uytengsu, Jr., a former Philippine national team swimmer.
“As I look back now of more than three decades in the league, of course I’m proud of our fourteen titles and more than thirty Finals appearances. But I’m more proud of how we honored the game,” he continued.
“I’ve blessed that I have players and coaches that understand the Alaska way, even if we both know there will be sacrifices on their part because we do not tolerate some of these underhanded tactics. I’m proud to know that these individuals will take these learnings to their next chapter in life, whether that still remains in basketball or to a completely different endeavor.
“Don’t get me wrong, I’m still looking for that fifteenth championship, and the sixteenth and the seventeenth and so on. But it will always be about winning with integrity,” Uytengsu Jr. closed.
