1989 Alaska Air Force season

Summary

Open Conference: Alaska Milk lost their first four games of the season before picking up their first win on March 21, a 105–104 victory over Añejo Rum on rookie Elmer Cabahug's 15-foot jumper in the last five seconds. The Airmen scored their second straight win and moved out of the cellar a week later on March 28, in a 131–129 victory over Purefoods Hotdogs as import Carl Lott scored his highest output of 40 points in six games he played, Lott was replaced by Sean Chambers, who first came to the Philippines two years ago as part of the IBA selection that played in the one-week PBA/IBA Cup, Chambers debut with 41 points in Alaska's 124–145 loss to San Miguel to April 2, the Airmen were the last entry to the semifinals, they defeated Añejo Rum, 133–120, in their playoff game on April 13. Carrying a 3–7 won-loss slate in the semifinal round, the Airmen were already out of contention for a finals berth after the first round of the semifinals but they beat Purefoods, 139–125, on May 4, to push the Hotdogs into fifth spot and get a chance to play in the series for third place. Alaska had a third-place finish, scoring a 3–0 sweep over Presto Ice Cream.

All-Filipino Conference: Alaska were tied with Purefoods Hotdogs at second place with four wins and two losses in the first round of eliminations; the Airmen won only once in the second round and lost to Añejo Rum, 109–112, on the last day of the elimination round on July 25. Alaska lost their first three outings in the semifinals and once again lagged behind in the team standings, but they played a spoiler's role in ousting the defending champion Añejo Rum 65ers from the finals race, winning 105-97 on August 13. The Airmen won their last game in the semifinals in a no-bearing encounter against finalist San Miguel Beermen.

Reinforced Conference: Sean Chambers return as their import, Alaska lost their first game to Formula Shell, 117–128, but bounce back in their next game on October 3 against Presto Tivolis, 141–128, as rookies Paul Alvarez and Elmer Cabahug scored 41 and 30 points respectively. The Airmen handed the Dexter Shouse-led Purefoods Hotdogs their first loss in five games, scoring a 144–119 victory on October 17. Alaska had an even 5-5 won-loss slate and were tied with Añejo Rum and Presto after the eliminations, but just like in the previous two conferences, the Airmen lost successively in the semifinals to bow out anew from one of the two finals berths. They shoved Presto Tivolis to fifth place and got another chance to play in the battle for third; the Airmen scored a 3-1 series win over import-less Purefoods Hotdogs.

Occurrences

Going into their April 13 do-or-die encounter for the last semifinals berth against Añejo Rum 65, coach William "Bogs" Adornado was asked not to sit on the Alaska bench, the Airmen had an "open coaching among players" during that game. The next day in a meeting between Adornado, team manager Joel Aquino and team owner Wilfred Uytengsu, Adornado was advised by the Alaska management to resign and gave up his position. In a letter of resignation, Adornado accepted responsibility for the team's dismal showing but blamed the management for their failure to get the services of a suitable import, Aquino handled the team starting the semifinals and for the rest of the first conference.

Tim Cone, a member of the vintage panelists, guided the Airmen to a third-place finish in the Open Conference and soon accepted coaching chores for Alaska starting the Fiesta All-Filipino.

Roster

_{Assistant Coach: Januario Del Rosario Team Manager: Joel Aquino}