MANILA, Philippines – In an intimate ceremony where the PBA’s best fraternized for just one night, 10 outstanding individuals were honored for their impact in the 50-year-old league.
The Solaire Resort North Grand Ballroom turned into a museum of living basketball history as the league’s greatest over the past 50 years shook hands, took selfies, and caught up with each other.
The PBA formally added the eight retired and two active cagers to its updated 50 Greatest Players list on Friday, April 11, hoping to put an end to questions regarding the supposed snubs of the first two batches.
Nelson Asaytono, the most discussed omission in the 2000 and 2014 lists, finally earned his spot in the revered club as the league feted one of the top players from the 1990s.
“Overwhelmed. Finally, after waiting for a long time,” Asaytono said in Filipino during an ambush interview.
“This is for my family, and my friends who wanted me in… it’s a great feeling since it’s part of my retired life as a PBA player. Thank you,” he added.
Although he fell short of a Most Valuable Player award twice, Asaytono’s physical, imposing style of play drew adulation from fans and fellow players alike.
He captured seven titles with Purefoods, Swift, Sunkist, San Miguel, and Red Bull, brought home two Best Player of the Conference Awards, and made the Mythical First Team thrice and the Mythical Second Team four times.
The 6-foot-3 forward was also the last inclusion on the list among the 10 all-time scoring leaders, where he is perched up at fifth with 12,668 points.
Also included were eight-time league MVP June Mar Fajardo, one-time MVP Scottie Thompson, 13-time champion Abe King, and 10-time titleholder Bong Hawkins.
The late Arnie Tuadles, 1996 Grand Slam member Jeffrey Cariaso, eight-time champion Danny Seigle, six-time champion Manny Victorino, and Crispa great Yoyoy Villamin were also honored.
Selection was a “thorough and comprehensive” process, according to committee member Quinito Henson, adding that the 10 were almost unanimous choices.
One of the league’s greatest players, Allan Caidic — also a member of the selection committee — said it took three meetings in a month’s span to finalize additions.
As the league passes this golden milestone, PBA commissioner Willie Marcial expressed optimism as he sees Asia’s oldest pro basketball league to be in a more robust shape when it opens its golden anniversary in October.
“Ganoon pa ring kamahal ng Pilipino ang PBA. Nandito na po tayo sa 50 years natin at solid pa rin ang PBA. Hindi basta-basta matitibag, pababagsakin, at mawawala,” said Marcial.
(Filipinos still love the PBA. We’ve been here for 50 years and we’re still solid. It will not be easily be brought down.)
“That is why our campaign for the 50th anniversary is ‘PBA Solid,’” added Marcial, referring to the league’s new tagline.
Unavailable to personally attend were Villamin and King, while Tuadles, who was murdered in 1996, was represented by his son and brother.
Villamin’s wife and son received the award on his behalf, while King’s former Toyota coach Dante Silverio and friend Allan Caidic went to the stage.
Also honored were longtime sportswriters who covered the league in its infancy through its peak popularity, as well as employees who have been there since 1975, and the surviving former commissioners.
The PBA also revealed its plans for Season 50 like throwback jerseys, a special basketball, and corporate social responsibility programs. – Rappler.com