Marcial says Alaska not leaving PBA

The Aces are not leaving anytime soon said Commissioner Willie Marcial. PBA Media Group (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--Alaska fans should get a sigh of relief at least for now.

PBA commissioner Willie Marcial quashed rumors about the Aces possibly leaving the league after the 45th season citing a conversation with team governor Dickie Bachmann.

"As of now, sa pagkakaalam ko--kausap ko si Governor Dickie Bachmann--hindi aalis ang Alaska sa PBA," Marcial said during the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum on Tuesday.

Marcial then said that he has been hearing the rumors about Alaska's possible departure since 2013, the last time the team won a PBA championship, but it never happened. He even said that Bachmann in their conversation just laughed off the rumors.

The said rumors suddenly got some new fuel when reports over the weekend surfaced that this season, which has been postponed due to COVID-19, could be the Aces' final year and that their fabled franchise is now up for grabs.

But with Marcial's statement, their fans have been assured that they will still see their favorite team in action for this year should the league decide in August to push through with the season.

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