The core players of the Alaska team that won the Grand Slam in 1996 are finally together in the PBA’s 50 Greatest List and each of them were naturally happy that they finally got the recognition they deserve.

The 1996 Most Valuable Player Johnny Abarrientos and Jojo Lastimosa were already part of the list when the league named the first 25 players back in 2000 while Jeffrey Cariaso and Bong Hawkins were part of the 10 latest additions during the league’s golden anniversary celebration.

“Sabi nga nila huli man daw at magaling kumbaga umabot pa rin so we’re grateful and thankful apat na kami sa Grand Slam players na umabot finally sa 50 greatest,” said Abarrientos.

“Masaya syempre yung core ng Grand Slam nandito na kami so we feel honored,” echoed Hawkins.

Under the tutelage of then Alaska coach Tim Cone, they formed a four-man wrecking crew, defeating Purefoods TJ in the All-Filipino Cup in five games before going the distance with Formula Shell in the Commissioner’s Cup.

The Milkmen achieved the coveted Grand Slam after only needing five games to dispatch Ginebra in Governors’ Cup Finals and complete the three jewels of the 1996 season.

In the process, they etched their names in the annals of the PBA with Abarrientos bagging the Season MVP award along with the Governors’ Cup Finals MVP trophy, Hawkins the Commissioner’s Cup Best Player of the Conference and Finals MVP plum, and Jojo Lastimosa the All-Filipino Cup Finals MVP award.

Abarrientos and Lastimosa were named to the first Mythical team while Cariaso was in the second Mythical team.

“Perfect time I think na mapasama sila sa greatest and thankful kami kasi parang dumami yung nagtiwala dun sa pinaghirapan naming lahat,”Abarrientos said of the inclusion of Cariaso and Hawkins.

For the part of Cariaso, his addition to the Greatest List was extra sweeter that he was on the same batch as Hawkins, who he played with not only during their time in Alaska but also his teammate in Coca-Cola.

“I’m happy I'm on the same list as Bong. As you know Bong is a special teammate and friend of mine,” Cariaso said of his former big man.

“Been through so many championships not just in Alaska but also at Coke we played together in many games so for us to be recognized don sa the same list is really a blessing,” he added.