Mike DiGregorio is extremely grateful to Alaska after the storied franchise signed him to a two-year deal, signifying the Aces’ intentions of having the Fil-Italian sniper as part of their future.
DiGregorio arrived at the Milkmen’s camp last January 6 after TNT KaTropa traded him in exchange for Simon Enciso, in a deal that also saw both teams swap their 2023 second-round draft picks.
“I’m very grateful and thankful to the Alaska management and coaching staff for the opportunity to represent such a prestigious franchise,” the 28-year-old guard told Tiebreaker Times.
“Truly, truly am thankful for their trust and confidence in me, and I want to learn as much as I can from them.”
DiGregorio will now be playing for his fourth team in the league. He was drafted by the Mahindra Floodbuster in 2015 and played there until 2017, before he got shipped to Blackwater.
It was with the Elite that the cager from Chicago flourished. He played a key factor in the team’s quarterfinal trips in the 2017 and 2018 Governors’ Cups ,as well as in the 2019 Commissioner’s Cup.
His tenure with Blackwater, though, came to an end when they sent him to the KaTropa midway into the 2019 Governors’ Cup for stocky floor general Brian Heruela in a one-for-one deal.
DiGregorio was there for just eight weeks, he said, but it was with the flagship MVP Group franchise that he played in the semifinal stage for the first time in his PBA career.
Now, DiGregorio looks to keep growing and to become more of a leader for the Aces, who have been rebuilding since Jeffrey Cariaso took over the head coaching reins last August.
“I want to be a leader on this squad,” he said. “Over these next two years, I plan on continuing to push the envelope and keep getting better and better.
“There’s still so much more room to grow.”
And among his aspirations for his new team, DiGregorio said, is to help the franchise end its years-long title drought. The Aces last struck gold in the 2013 Commissioner’s Cup.
“I want to help lead this team to another championship,” he said. “I want to give them my everything every single day. It is my mission to help this franchise get championship number fifteen.
“I want to become a champion. And what better place to do that than in Alaska with their rich tradition?”
