Duremdes reminisces Alaska days

PBA 1998 MVP Kenneth Duremdes remembered most about his Alaska days from 1997 to 2002 was the franchise’s high level of professionalism. “Follow the book, rules and regulations,” said Duremdes on PlayItRight TV last Friday. “Proud ako that I was part of Alaska. One of the best franchises ever in terms of professionalism and achievement. Ang philosophy of integrity nanggaling sa higher-ups. Si Sir Fred (Uytengsu), ang trato pare-pareho sa amin, whether star or bench player. Si coach Tim Cone developed a great system. Nag-set ng example ang management. Of and off the court, we were professionals.”

Duremdes recalled that after Alaska won a championship, his first with the franchise, in 1997, the Uytengsus treated the entire team with everyone’s family to an all-expenses-paid trip to Australia. “Equal treatment kaming lahat ni Sir Fred,” he said. “It was his way to show appreciation for what we achieved. We were like one family and Sir Fred put an emphasis on building relationships and bonding.”

As for his favorite Alaska teammates, Duremedes had no hesitation in naming Johnny Abarrientos, Jojo Lastimosa, Bong Hawkins, Poch Juinio and Rodney Santos. He said his best import teammates were Sean Chambers and Devin Davis.

Even after retiring from the PBA in 2008, Duremdes said he has kept in contact with Alaska teammates, including current Aces coach Jeff Cariaso. Once an Alaska player, always an Alaska player. Duremdes said in 1998, Alaska had a second chance to repeat a Grand Slam after winning the All-Filipino and Commissioner’s Cups. But Uytengsu sacrificed for the country, allowing Cone and Alaska’s best players, including Duremdes, to serve on the national Centennial squad. Duremdes, who played in three Asian Games from 1994 to 2002, said there’s “no comparison” in playing for the country. He also proudly wore the national colors at the Jones Cup in 1998 when the Philippines won with Captain Marbel topping all scorers with a 17.3 average.

Duremdes said he’ll never forget in 1997, Charlotte Hornets international scout Joe Betancourt came to Manila to recruit Abarrientos for the NBA, offering a 10-day contract. Betancourt met with Cone, Abarrientos and the Flying A’s manager Anton Montinola at a Manila Peninisula suite to discuss the terms of transition. But when Betancourt went back to the US, Hornets coach Dave Cowens had traded for a point guard David Wesley and the spot for Abarrientos was gone. “Excited kaming lahat na baka si Johnny napunta sa NBA,” said Duremdes. “It didn’t matter kung mapilayan kami sa Alaska, pride kasi for the country.”

Duremdes, 48, said his most memorable moment with Alaska was hitting a triple to break a 2-2 finals tie against San Miguel Beer in 1998. “We were down two with seconds to go, coach Tim rarely calls for a three except if it’s Roel Gomez but Johnny found me open and I took a three, buti na lang pumasok,” said Duremdes. “Situational ‘yun, alam ko si coach Tim only wants high percentage shots pero Johnny was doubled and passed to me. I looked at coach Tim after the shot, OK naman siya kasi pumasok.”

Duremdes said his heart broke when news spread of Alaska’s exit. “One big family ang Alaska, solid mga players,” he said. “It’s not so much the championships we’ll miss but the highest level of professionalism.”