10 MORE GREATEST
Abe King
Nelson Asaytono
Jeff Cariaso
Bong Hawkins
Arnie Tuadles
Danny Seigle
Manny Victorino
Elpidio Villamin
June Mar Fajardo
Scottie Thompson
LONG overdue for some who waged countless cage wars and a validation for two still in the thick of the fight in the pro league.
The PBA yesterday formally announced 10 more cagers who made up the new 50 Greatest Players list of Asia’s pioneering pro tilt.
The 10-man selection committee headed by former PBA Commissioner’ Renauld “Sonny” Barrios opened the gates for Nelson Asaytono, current Blackwater coach Jeff Cariaso, reigning eight-time MVP June Mar Fajardo of San Miguel Beer, Bong Hawkins, Abe King, Danny Seigle, former MVP and Ginebra playmaker Scottie Thompson, the late Arnie Tuadles, Manny Victorino, and Elpidio “Yoyoy” Villamin to the revered field.
“Maayos naman lahat iyong mga pagpili, kahit noong mga nakaraan. Natiyempuhan lang ako, ako iyong Commissioner ng 50th anniversary. So, may kaunting suwerte, nakasama,” PBA chief Willie Marcial said during the event’s press conference at the TV5 Media Center in Mandaluyong.
“Pero iyon nga, malaking bagay. Malaking bagay sa basketball, malaking bagay sa PBA, personal sa akin, malaking bagay na nandito ako sa 50th anniversary natin.
“Magkakaiba kasi sila. Magkakaibang kultura, magkakaibang year, magkakaibang dekada so ang napag-usapan lang kasi sa nangyari noong simula pa automatic ang MVP na kasama sa Greatest. So, siguro alam ninyo kung sino iyong dalawang MVP so automatic,” he added.
True-blue pro league fans were up in arms in 2015 after some notable names were not included in the 40 Greatest, such as King, Tuadles, Asaytono, and Hawkins.
Barrios, as head and non-voting, said the nine other members of the selection team were assigned to make their list of the 10 players deemed qualified to crack the esteemed group.
Fajardo and Thompson, as MVPs, were shoo-ins.
Also among those part of the panel who took on the painstaking task of coming up with the best choices were greats Ramon Fernandez, Atoy Co, and Allan Caidic, former five-time champion coach Dante Silverio, broadcasters Quinito Henson and Andy Jao, former Manila Bulletin sports editor Ding Marcelo, former Philippine Daily Inquirer sports editor Al Mendoza, and Nelson Beltran, current sports editor of The Philippine Star.
Already in the top 40 are Johnny Abarrientos, William “Bogs” Adornado, Jimmy Alapag, Renato “Ato” Agustin, Francis Arnaiz, Marlou Aquino, Caidic, Hector Calma, Mark Caguioa, Jayson Castro, Philip Cezar, Co, Jerry Codinera, Kenneth Duremdes, Bernard Fabiosa, Fernandez;
Danilo Florencio, Alberto Guidaben, Freddie Hubalde, Jayjay Helterbrand, Danny Ildefonso, Robert Jaworski, Isabelo “Jojo” Lastimosa, Chito Loyzaga, Lim Eng Beng, Avelino “Samboy” Lim, Ronnie Magsanoc, Vergel Meneses, Eric Menk, Manny Paner, Alvin Patrimonio, Benjie Paras, Marc Pingris, Willie Miller, Kerby Raymundo, Asi Taulava, Arwind Santos, Kelly Williams and James Yap.
A grand ceremony honoring the league’s 50 Greatest Players will be held on April 11 at the Solaire Resort North in Quezon City—fitting for the newest 10 legends who have entered the pantheon of greatness—and after its golden anniversary on April 9.
