After twin defeats this past week to B-Meg (77-61 last Wednesday) and Talk ‘N Text (80-72 last Saturday in Tubod, Lanao del Norte), the Alaska Aces have sunk deeper into the cellar of the PBA Governors Cup with its 1-6 win-loss record and are all but out of the running for a berth in the six-team semifinals.
That’s the sad news.
Now here’s even worse news. Regardless of what happens in its last two games against Barangay Ginebra on Friday and Air21 Express on June 27, Alaska will finish the campaign with ignominious all-time franchise records for fewest wins in a season and lowest win percentage.
As of their last game against the Tropang Texters, the Aces tote a win-loss record of 10-23 (0.303) for the season. They finished ninth in the Philippine Cup with a 3-11 slate before improving to a 6-6 for sixth place in the Commissioner’s Cup, both under erstwhile head coach Joel Banal.
Alaska failed to advance to the playoffs in their first conference in the post-Tim Cone era before reaching the quarterfinals in the next, only to be eliminated by Barako Bull. Now the Aces are virtually out of it as well in their first conference with Luigi Trillo as head coach.
Even if the Aces win their last two games against the Kings and the Express, they will still finish the season with a 12-23 record (0.343).
Alaska’s lowest win percentage for a season was 0.408 (20-29) during its maiden season in the pros in 1986, first under Tony Vasquez then later with Cesar Jota.
Their fewest wins came in 1993 when the then Milkmen had an 18-21 (0.462) card during the rookie season of Johnny Abarrientos, whom they selected third overall in the annual draft.
Starting in 1994, Alaska had a winning percentage no lower than 0.500 for 17 straight seasons – an all-time league record – and AT LEAST 22 WINS IN EVERY SEASON.
Those streaks, sadly, now come to a halt.
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