Amidst reported uncertainty on staying, Alaska 'eager' to play in postponed PBA season

Despite reports about the team possibly leaving the PBA soon, Alaska hopes that the postponed season will continue despite COVID-19. PBA Media Group (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--Questions suddenly sprawled up among the PBA fans over the past few days on whether Alaska will be staying in the league or not when reports surfaced that the club could be on its way out.

Despite all of these, the Aces assured their fans that they are looking forward to the PBA's 45th season, which has been postponed indefinitely due to COVID-19.

"Alaska is eager for the season to resume and will be ready for battle. And more importantly, Alaska is staying the course to show that our team will always contribute to the welfare of the league, and be part of the good to make a better world through our passion for basketball," the club said in a statement on Tuesday.

Rumors of Alaska's uncertain future with the PBA, which according to Commissioner Willie Marcial has been prevalent for the past seven years or since the last time the club won it all, sparked anew when reports over the weekend said that this season could be its last.

However, Marcial said earlier Tuesday that the team is not leaving the league following his chat with team governor Dickie Bachmann.

[Related Story: Marcial says Alaska not leaving PBA]

The PBA is looking to resume in October depending on the effects of COVID-19 by that time. The league will decide by August if the season will still push through or not.

Known famously for its 1996 grand slam, Alaska is tied with Magnolia for the second most PBA championships with 14, but the former has yet to win a title since 2013.

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