Cariaso rejoins Alaska as basketball director

MANILA, Philippines - Jeffrey Cariaso has returned to Alaska, the team where he spent his illustrious playing career in.

The 10-time Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) All-Star who turned to coaching upon his retirement in 2010 rejoined Alaska recently as basketball director for Alaska Basketball Powercamp and Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA under Alaska’s Nutrition. Action. Champion. Program.

Cariaso’s new role with Alaska was announced during the 2015 Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA presented by Alaska Tip-Off recently at the British School Manila, Bonifacio Global City with Alaska Milk president and CEO Fred Uytengsu, NBA country manager for the Philippines Carlo Singson and Alaska Milk VP for Marketing Blen Fernando in attendance.

“This feels like a homecoming for me because I’ve always been proud to be part of Alaska. My job right now is to find the best basketball players for boys and girls around the country and help them develop to their full potential not just as players but also as persons and productive members of the community,” Cariaso said.

Cariaso started his 15-year career in PBA after he was drafted sixth overall by Alaska in 1995, winning the Rookie of the Year award that season. On his second year, he achieved a rare Grand Slam with the Aces. When “The Jet” rejoined Alaska Aces in 2004, he served as team captain for the next six years before announcing his retirement in 2010 after playing 15 seasons in the league.

From being a 10-time PBA All-Star, 2003 PBA All-Filipino Finals MVP and 2002 PBA All Filipino Best Player of the Conference, Cariaso began his transition to becoming a coach in 2011.