The five instrumental players of Alaska Milkmen 1996 PBA Grandslam

The 1996 Alaska Milkmen made history by becoming only the second team in PBA history to complete a Grand Slam, winning the All-Filipino Cup, Commissioner's Cup, and Governor's Cup in one unforgettable season. Under head coach Tim Cone and his triangle offense, the team relied on discipline, teamwork, and players who perfectly embraced their roles. While every member contributed to the historic achievement, these five instrumental players were at the heart of Alaska's championship run.

1. Johnny "The Flying A" Abarrientos: The Philippines' MVP floor general

Every great team needs a floor general, and for Alaska, that was Johnny Abarrientos. A former FEU Tamaraw, he became known for his blazing speed, sharp court vision, and ability to control the game's tempo despite standing just 5'8". His leadership and playmaking kept the triangle offense running smoothly throughout the season.

Abarrientos' outstanding performance in 1996 earned him the PBA Most Valuable Player award, making him the shortest player in league history to receive the honor. His fearless style of play proved that heart and skill matter more than height.

2. Jojo Lastimosa: The Filipino clutch scorer who delivered championships

Championship teams also need a player who can deliver in the biggest moments. That role belonged to Jojo Lastimosa, one of the league's most reliable scorers and clutch performers. Known for his deadly outside shooting and fearless drives to the basket, he consistently came through whenever Alaska needed a big basket.

Beyond his scoring, Lastimosa served as one of the team's veteran leaders. His experience, confidence, and composure helped guide the Milkmen through several pressure-filled games on their way to the Grand Slam.

3. Bong Hawkins: The Philippines' complete power forward

Success isn't always about flashy plays. Sometimes, it's about making the right decisions for every possession. Bong Hawkins became the perfect fit for Tim Cone's system because of his basketball intelligence, excellent footwork, and unselfish style of play.

Whether scoring in the post, grabbing rebounds, or creating opportunities for his teammates, Hawkins did everything the team needed. His brilliant all-around performance earned him both the Commissioner's Cup Finals MVP and Best Player of the Conference honors in 1996.

4. Jeffrey Cariaso: The rising star of Alaska' Milkmens championship team

Every championship team benefits from youthful energy, and Jeffrey Cariaso brought exactly that. After winning Rookie of the Year the previous season, the Filipino-American guard quickly became one of Alaska's most exciting players.

Known for his speed, athleticism, and strong perimeter defense, Cariaso gave the Milkmen another reliable scoring option while also taking on the challenge of guarding the opposing team's best players. His two-way game made him a valuable part of Alaska's title run.

5. Edward "Poch" Juinio: The unsung hero

Not every hero receives the spotlight, but every championship team needs players willing to do the dirty work. Edward "Poch" Juinio embraced that role by battling bigger opponents, setting solid screens, protecting the paint, and doing the little things that rarely appeared on the scoresheet.

His hard work and steady improvement throughout the season earned him the PBA's Most Improved Player award in 1996. While others filled the highlight reels, Juinio's sacrifices helped complete one of the greatest teams in PBA history.

Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships. - Michael Jordan

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