2006-07

Head coach Tim Cone signed a contract extension to remain with the team, erasing speculation of his possible dismissal. In the 2006 PBA Draft, Alaska selected Letran's Aaron Aban and UST's Christian Luanzon.

Starting the 2006-07 PBA Philippine Cup poorly, they've rebounded to finish with an 8-10 record, qualifying themselves a wildcard berth. After losing in a last-second overtime thriller against Coca-Cola, and a win by Sta. Lucia on the next game date, the Aces were eliminated from contention, despite winning their last game against Sta. Lucia.

Injuries to Reynel Hugnatan, via a kick from Purefoods shooting guard Noy Castillo during the semifinals of the 2006 Philippine Cup against the Purefoods Chunkee Giants, and Mike Cortez, during the start of the seasonafter falling awkwardly againsts Marlou Aquino and the Sta. Lucia Realtors, depleted the Aces in the tournament.

Alaska started the Fiesta Conference with a 7-4 card before the All-Star break, with Rosell Ellis as their import. Shooting Guard, Willie Miller provided a strong performance for the Aces during the tournament posting numerous 20 point-games.

Ace playmaker Mike Cortez came back in the late part of the elimination round. Alaska finished 12-6, 2nd in the elimination round and beat the Barangay Ginebra Kings 103-95 via an amazing comeback to earn an automatic semifinal slot joining Red Bull Barako, who already earned a semifinal slot finishing 13-5, 1st in the league.

They reached the Finals for the 19th time when they beat the San Miguel Beermen in the semifinals (4-2) in six games. They faced the Talk N' Text Phone Pals, who surprised Red Bull Barako in six games. The Aces drew first blood by taking game 1 but fell behind with a 1-2 series deficit. Newly crowned MVP candidate Willie Miller erupted for 29 points to tie the series. Miller, though, turned cold on Game 6 as the Phone Pals went over the hill, 3-2.

Miller then shone through a sterling offensive performance for a 37-point output on Game 6 to force Game 7. Game 7 was a tight affair but the Aces broke through with a Miller steal off Fiesta Conference Best Player Mark Cardona to seal Alaska's first title since 2000.

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2006-07

In the offseason, the Express acquired Aries Dimaunahan and Ervin Sotto from the Ginebra as part of a huge three-team trade along with the Coca-Cola Tigers. In the 2006 PBA Draft, Air21 selected Arwind Santos of the FEU Tamaraws and the PBL's Magnolia Ice Cream with the second overall pick. Stephen Padilla and Bruce Dacia's contract were not renewed by the team.

After a so-so performance at the Philippine Cup, the Express eked out a 7-11 record, good enough for a return trip to the wildcard phase. Needing to sweep all of the games in order to force a playoff for a quarterfinal berth, the Express defeated all wildcard teams. In the elimination game against Sta. Lucia, the Express came up short as they were beaten 121-118 via overtime.

Before the start of the wildcard phase, Air21 sent Yancy de Ocampo and Leo Avenido to Talk N Text for rookies Mark Andaya and Abby Santos plus future draft picks.

Air21 had talks with former Senator and the PBA's Living Legend Robert Jaworski to either accept a capacity within the team or as head coach before his beg prior to the start of the Fiesta Conference.

Still, the Express finished with a 10-8 record for fifth place in the standings with Shawn Daniels as import. At one point, Air21 was 7-3 before losing five of their last eight games, before beating San Miguel in a one-game playoff for the third outright quarterfinals berth.

The Talk N' Text Phone Pals defeated them in the quarters in a full three-game series, despite the Express' Game 1 victory.

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