IN just a flick of a finger, Johnny Abarrientos knew instantly what his fondest memory was while still playing for Alaska.
“Siguro yung 1996,” he said without batting an eyelash.
Career and personal-wise, it was truly a banner season for the Flying A.
“I won the MVP, we won the grand slam. Yun yung best year for me as a player,” said Abarrientos. “It’s [also] my wedding year, tapos ang daming awards, ang daming accomplishments, ang daming achievements. Nothing you can ask for nung year na yun. Parang overwhelmed, para kang nasa Cloud 9 talaga.
“Really, yun ang naaalala ko pag sinabi mong Alaska.”
The now Magnolia assistant coach began his pro career at Alaska as the team’s first round pick at No. 3 overall during the 1993 draft.
He eventually became the catalyst of coach Tim Cone’s famed Triangle Offense and won nine championships with the team from 1993 to 2000.
Grateful Johnny A
In a way, Abarrientos said he owes his PBA career to the franchise.
“Part of being me as a Johnny Abarrientos, kalahati nun Alaska. I started there. They gave me a chance, they believed in me, they trusted in me,” he said.
“Very blessed ako na naging part ako ng journey ng what they called as the ‘Team of the 90s.’
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