How the Alaska Aces Built Their Final Championship Team: A Look Back at their 2012-2013 Commissioner's Cup Run

When the Alaska Aces swept Barangay Ginebra in the 2013 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals, they not only secured their 14th championship but also wrote the final glorious chapter of their storied PBA legacy. What made this victory even more remarkable was the path they took to get there—an incredible turnaround from one of the worst seasons in franchise history to becoming champions once again. This is the story of how Alaska rebuilt, retooled, and reclaimed their place among the PBA elite.

The Struggles of the 2011-2012 Season

The Alaska Aces entered the 2011-2012 season facing a major identity crisis. Legendary coach Tim Cone had departed to take over B-MEG (now Magnolia), ending an era defined by stability, discipline, and success. Alaska tapped Joel Banal as head coach and drafted Gilas standout Mac Baracael with the 6th overall pick, hoping to turn the page. Unfortunately, the transition proved difficult. In the Philippine Cup, the Aces managed only three wins in 11 games, finishing second to the last in the standings. While they improved slightly in the Commissioner’s Cup with a 5-4 record and a playoff berth, they were eliminated by Barako Bull in three games despite being the higher seed. Before the Governors’ Cup, Banal stepped down and Luigi Trillo was appointed interim head coach. Alaska made key roster moves during this time, trading for energetic forward Gabby Espinas and backup guard RJ Jazul. However, the changes weren’t enough to salvage their season. The Aces again finished near the bottom in the Governors’ Cup with just two wins, ending the year with a 11-24 record—one of their worst seasons and their first without Tim Cone.

Offseason Overhaul: The Building Blocks of a Champion

Despite the disappointing season, the 2012 offseason would prove to be a transformative period for Alaska. Owning the second pick in the draft, they selected Calvin Abueva from San Sebastian College—an all-around forward known for his relentless motor and physical play. Abueva, dubbed “The Beast,” would become the emotional and defensive anchor of the team. Alaska then pulled off a blockbuster trade, sending long-time star point guard LA Tenorio to Barangay Ginebra in a five-team deal. In return, they received JVee Casio, the previous year’s first overall pick and a national team-caliber point guard. To complete their retooling, Alaska acquired veteran sharpshooter Dondon Hontiveros from Petron in exchange for Wesley Gonzales and Hans Thiele. These bold moves laid the foundation for what would become their last championship run.

A New Identity in the 2012-2013 Philippine Cup

With their new core in place, Alaska entered the 2012-2013 Philippine Cup eager to bounce back. They improved significantly, finishing the eliminations with an 8-6 record, good for fifth place. In the quarterfinals, they faced the Meralco Bolts led by Sol Mercado and Mac Cardona, both top performers in scoring and assists. Despite expectations of a tight series, Alaska dominated and swept Meralco, 2-0. Their semifinal showdown against the top-seeded Talk N Text Tropang Texters was a hard-fought battle. Alaska traded wins with TNT through the first four games, showing grit and resilience, but fell short in Games 5 and 6 as Talk N Text advanced to the finals. Still, the performance marked Alaska as a serious contender once more—and gave them the confidence that they could win without Tim Cone or LA Tenorio.

Commissioner’s Cup 2013: A Team Reborn

The Aces carried their momentum into the 2013 Commissioner’s Cup, bolstered by their new import, Robert Dozier. A former Memphis Tiger and NBA second-round pick, Dozier brought length, athleticism, and composure to the frontcourt. He averaged solid numbers in Spain before joining the Aces and proved to be the perfect fit for Trillo’s system. With Dozier in the mix, Alaska dominated the eliminations, posting an 11-3 record to take the No. 1 seed heading into the playoffs. In the quarterfinals, they dispatched eighth-seed Air21 Express, 87-81, to move into the semifinals, where a familiar foe awaited—none other than Tim Cone and the San Mig Coffee Mixers.

Revenge Against the Mentor: Semifinals vs. San Mig Coffee

The semifinal series against San Mig Coffee was as much a test of talent as it was of legacy. In Game 1, the Mixers struck first behind import Denzel Bowles’ clutch play, eking out a 71-69 victory. But Alaska responded emphatically. Game 2 was a defensive clinic, with the Aces smothering San Mig and limiting stars James Yap and Bowles to single-digit scoring en route to an 86-67 win. Game 3 was a heart-stopper, going into overtime after a key three-point play from Sonny Thoss. In the extra period, RJ Jazul scored six unanswered points as Alaska pulled away to win, 89-82. Game 4 saw San Mig take control early with a 19-0 second-quarter run, leading by 14 at halftime. But the Aces never panicked. Behind the trio of Casio, Thoss, and Baguio—and a fourth-quarter explosion from Abueva—Alaska mounted a thrilling comeback to win the game and the series, 3-1. The victory over Cone's Mixers was not just a win—it was redemption.

2013 Commissioner’s Cup Finals: A Statement Sweep

The Finals matched Alaska against the surging seventh-seed Barangay Ginebra, led by former Alaska star LA Tenorio and import Vernon Macklin. Ginebra had pulled off back-to-back upsets to reach the finals, but Alaska would not be denied. They executed flawlessly on both ends of the floor and held Ginebra’s offense in check throughout the series. The Aces completed a clean 3-0 sweep, holding Ginebra to an average of just 80 points per game. Sonny Thoss delivered a steady presence inside and was named Finals MVP, while Trillo and Casio celebrated their first PBA championships. It was a dominant finish for a team that had endured one of the most turbulent rebuilds in recent memory.

The Legacy and What Came After

Alaska’s 2013 Commissioner’s Cup title would be their final championship. The team remained competitive in the following years, returning to the finals five more times with the same core and added pieces like Vic Manuel, Chris Banchero, Kevin Racal, and Rome dela Rosa. Unfortunately, heartbreak followed them—including the historic 3-0 collapse against San Miguel in the 2016 Philippine Cup Finals. Despite falling short of another title, the team maintained its identity of hustle, heart, and class until its final season. In 2022, team owner Wilfred Uytengsu sold the franchise to Converge, officially ending Alaska’s 36-year run in the PBA.

A Fitting Farewell

The 2012-2013 Alaska Aces were more than just champions—they were a testament to resilience, culture, and intelligent team-building. From losing a legendary coach to constructing a new identity with emerging stars like Abueva, Casio, and Dozier, the Aces proved that heart and vision could triumph over adversity. Their final championship was not just a trophy—it was a reminder of what made the Alaska Aces one of the greatest franchises in PBA history.