Cariaso decides to call it quits; Alaska to retire cager's jersey

After a great 15-season ride, there will be no more flights for “The Jet" Jeffrey Cariaso. Cariaso, Alaska’s grizzled veteran, has decided to call it quits at a stage where he can still compete. The 37-year-old guard, who won the Rookie of the Year award in 1995, will leave the game as one of Alaska Milk’s all-time best players. Alaska team manager and former Philippine Basketball Association chairman Joaqui Trillo told GMANews.TV that the organization is going to fete the player regarded for his excellent work ethics and determination to win. “We’re surely honoring him, most likely by June 20," said Trillo in a telephone interview. “He’s one of our best players and he will always be remembered as an integral part of the Alaska family. He started his career and ended it with us." Trillo added that Cariaso’s jersey will be retired, which will make him only the fourth player after Bogs Adornado, Sean Chambers and Jojo Latimosa to be given such feat.

“The hardest part for a player is to admit that he cannot perform anymore. I've always said that I want to be the one to say when it's time. It's my career which I worked hard to achieve and establish myself in this league, so I feel it's only fitting that I walk away on my own terms -- to leave the game at a level which I believe I can still compete," said Cariaso, a two-time member of the all-pro national team to the Asian Games. Early this year, Cariaso hinted that he will be playing his final season in the PBA. After playing a key role in the Aces’ last finals stint in the Philippine Cup where they were swept by the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants, Cariaso was put on the reserved list. But the second oldest player behind Olsen Racela of San Miguel Beer clarified that it was his decision to be put on the reserved list. “Don't get me wrong, I still want to be out there battling every night with my teammates. I certainly did not want my last conference to end this way. As a player, you have to understand when the head coach wants or feels he needs to go another direction with the team. It's a nice way of saying that we appreciate what you have done, but we will no longer need your services on the court." “Other marquee players on other teams are going through the same predicament as I am, so I guess it's fair to assume that its part of the business," he added. Alaska isn’t the only team Cariaso played for. After becoming an integral part of Alaska’s successful grand slam campaign in 1996, Cariaso was traded to Mobiline (now Talk N Text) in 1997 where he became the focal point of its offense. In 2000, he was shipped by the Phone Pals to Tanduay, which was then handled by Derick Pumaren. When the Rhum Masters franchise was acquired by new team FedEx Express in 2002, Cariaso along with Eric Menk were some of the marquee players who were traded. Cariaso joined the Coca-Cola Tigers where he won two championships before he was sent back to the Aces along with Reynel Hugnatan for John Arigo and Ali Peek. But Cariaso will always be remembered as a member of the Alaska family. Multi-titled coach Tim Cone explained why. "One of the legacies Jeff shared with our team was that he changed the culture of our team when we took him in again in 2004. Our team was in disarray at that time and Jeff, being a character-driven player, changed things for us. He was one of the reasons why we won a championship in 2006 as well as our two other finals appearances," said Cone. “Jeff is one of those special guys who played for Alaska. You will admire his worth ethics. He’s one of the most vocal guys during practice and he’s the embodiment of professionalism. He can still compete against guys younger than him and can push them to draw their best. It’s hard to let go of him, but that’s what basketball is all about. I will definitely miss him," added Cone, the longest tenured mentor in the PBA and the winningest bench tactician among active coaches. - Rey Joble, GMANews.TV