The 1990 Alaska Air Force season was the 5th season of the franchise in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).
Contents
Summary
The Alaska Air Force maintain the same roster from last season, losing only forward Ricky Relosa to expansion team Pepsi-Cola and three others being released while signing up their two rookie picks; Macario Torres and Loreto Manaog. In the First Conference, Alaska brought in Anthony Simms as their import. Simms suited up for the Canadian national team in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics and 1986 World Basketball championships and became the third Canadian native to play in the PBA. Alaska won their first game of the season against Añejo Rum, 140-135 on February 20 as Anthony Simms scored 50 points. The Airmen raced to a 5-1 won-loss start, dealing Formula Shell their first loss, 132-130 on March 11, in a match-up between early leaders. Towards the end of eliminations, the Airmen lost two straight games to Pop Cola and Añejo Rum which dropped their standings to six wins and four losses. In the semifinal round, Alaska continued its skid and failed to qualify in the battle for third place, losing their last game against Presto, 110-111 on April 29.
Despite finishing with a 6-4 won-loss slate in the elimination round of the All-Filipino Conference, the Airmen lost all their eight semifinal assignments and placed fifth for the second straight conference. Just before the Third Conference started, Alaska traded league pioneer Abet Guidaben to Pepsi Hotshots in exchange for Harmon Codiñera. Sean Chambers return as their import and along with Carlos Clark, a member of the 1984 NBA World Champions Boston Celtics. The Airmen were the top team in the elimination round with 8 wins and 2 losses, they scored their 12th victory in 17 games against Shell, 114-94 on November 27, and got a free ride for the first finals berth when Purefoods lost to Sarsi in their last game in the semifinals on December 2. Alaska went on to battle the Purefoods Hotdogs for the Third Conference championship and came so close in winning their first PBA title after surging ahead, 2-0 in the best-of-five finals series, only to lose the remaining three games. High-leaping Paul Alvarez, who played the hero's role in their first two victories, was injured in Game three and was out for the rest of the final playoffs.
Scoring record
April 26: Paul Alvarez scored a record-breaking 71 points in Alaska's 169-138 win over Shell. The 71-point output by Mr.Excitement surpass Allan Caidic's 68 points set in November of last year.
Occurrences
Assistant coach Chot Reyes took over the coaching duties from coach Tim Cone for a couple of games in the All-Filipino Conference, following the Basketball Coaches of the Philippines (BCOP) decision issuing a temporary restraining order preventing coach Tim Cone from handling the team. Reyes led Alaska to its first win in the conference with a 100-99 squeaker over Purefoods on June 17.
Roster
Assistant Coach: Chot Reyes / Aric Del Rosario Team Manager: Joaquin Trillo