Goodbyes are never easy.
Whether it’s saying goodbye to friends after a weekend of fun, or saying goodbye to someone special because they’re going away, there is always sadness. Different levels of sadness, but there is sadness nevertheless.
I admit that the past 3 years I’ve been laying low in watching live basketball games of Alaska Aces, but whenever I got the chance, I watched online or on tv. I haven’t been also updated with the team roster or happenings with the team like I was a few years back, but I’m still an Aces fan. Which takes us to the sad news that was announced this week: Alaska Aces is leaving the PBA.
A little back story. My uncle who is also a die hard Alaska fan already told me that there have been rumors that Alaska Aces might be leaving the PBA (because an uncle worked there before, and sometimes gave us free VIP tickets, told him that this would be possible in the future.)
I never actually thought that it would happen. But here it is. The news caught me by surprise. I was busy with work that day, so I wasn’t checking my phone much. As I checked my phone, I saw that there were a lot of notifications on my twitter from my fellow Aces fans. I thought there was a major trade or something, so I checked my twitter feed. Lo and behold, they were saying goodbye and reminiscing about the days when we would watch games live and then talk/tweet about it after, blaming players, coaches, being angry with the opposing team, etc.
I hurriedly checked the Instagram page of Alaska and I saw the post. I got teary-eyed and sad. I could compare it to someone special to me bidding farewell. From a “business” point of view, it was the only way to go, but deep inside I still can’t believe it. Basketball has played a big part in my life. It was one of the “bonding times” of me and my dad. Ever since I was a child, my dad would take me to wherever Alaska was playing and we would watch. I wasn’t that familiar with basketball rules before, I just knew that if a ball went inside the ring, the team scores points. 2014, I rekindled my “ love” for basketball, mainly because of Chris Banchero, who was then a member of the Aces team. It was just him I was watching, then I noticed that I was watching the players one by one, Dondon Hontiveros, RJ Jazul, Calvin Abueva, Sonny Thoss, Tony Dela Cruz, Ping Exciminiano, Vic Manuel, Cyrus Baguio, JV Casio and more. Then I started knowing the game, positions, fouls, etc. I never thought I would be heavily invested in the Aces. I mean, I was just a fan, but I felt sad when they lose, and I felt ecstatic when RJ Jazul shoots that critical 3-pointer. I got angry with SMB ( you probably experienced this not only once in your whole life when you’re a die-hard Aces fan) when they won against Alaska. Haha But I was still there for them, I was always that loud cheerer. Shouting my heart out whenever they have games, regardless where I’m watching, at home or live. I even went to Lucena to watch their game3 against SMB last 2016. Cheering for this team was an honor for me, the team whose core values are aligned with my beliefs: winning with integrity and honesty.
As I said at the start of this blog, goodbyes are never easy, but they’re inevitable.
Thank you, Alaska Aces, for providing your fans one of the best moments of their lives. I will never forget everything I experienced while rooting for you: I got interviewed in a sports vlog (which I never imagined would happen in my whole life), became fan of the night ( yes I was so proud of that haha), cried tears of joy whenever the team got through obstacles (winning against stronger teams) and also cried tears of sadness when you lost, esp during that 2016 championship Game7. I also met a lot of people, fellow fans, while watching your games which led me to make new friends. Alaska Aces has played a major part in my life and I would never forget that. Ever. ❤️
I will always be an Alaska Aces fan, no matter what happens. Cheers, my fellow ka-Alas.
WALA PA RING TATALO SA ALASKA. ❤️❤️❤️
