ICONIC OPM star Bamboo Mañalac provided an electric atmosphere when he sang his hit songs—with his lungs out—during the PBA 50 Greatest Players gala last Friday night at the grand ballroom of the Solaire Resort North in Quezon City.
While Bamboo’s appearance in the formal ceremony was just a side event, it was fitting—Asia’s pioneering pro league can be likened to a bamboo after five decades and more—flexible and resilient.
“Ganoon pa rin kamahal ng Pilipino ang PBA. Nandito na po tayo sa 50 years natin at solid pa rin ang PBA,” PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial said. “Hindi basta-basta matitibag, pababagsakin, at mawawala.
“Kaya ngayong 50th year natin, ang campaign cheer natin ay ‘PBA Solid,’” he added.
Sports journalists were feted for their big contribution in covering the pro league since its infant years until now, including Malaya-Business Insight Sports Editor and Deputy Managing Editor Jimmy A. Cantor.
But the highlight of the grandiose celebration was the induction of 10 more legends to the greatest cagers’ list, led by Nelson Asaytono.
Asaytono, a bull-strong power forward, was joined by Blackwater coach Jeffrey Cariaso, reigning eight-time MVP June Mar Fajardo, Bong Hawkins, Abe King, Danny Seigle, former MVP Scottie Thompson, the late Arnie Tuadles, Manny Victorino, and Yoyoy Villamin.
Fajardo and Thompson are the only active players in the marquee group.
Asaytono, Cariaso, Fajardo, Hawkins, Seigle, Thompson, and Victorino personally received their award, while King was represented by his former Toyota coach Dante Silverio and teammate Allan Caidic. Villamin’s wife, Cynthia and son Earl, showed up for him.
Also present were majority of the first 40 Greatest Players, namely, Johnny Abarrientos, Ato Agustin, Atoy Co, Caidic, Kenneth Duremdes, Jerry Codinera, Freddie Hubalde, Jojo Lastimosa, Danny Ildefonso, Ronnie Magsanoc, Benjie Paras, Alvin Patrimonio, Kerby Raymundo, Arwind Santos, and Asi Taulava.
National team karateka Jamie Lim represented his late father Samboy Lim, while the son of former Crispa legend Bernie Fabiosa, EJ, represented his father, who is in the United States.
Tuadles’ son Rich and brother Calvin, also a former PBA player, represented him.
Past commissioners Renauld “Sonny” Barrios, Chito Salud, and Chito Narvasa also graced the special event along with the PBA board of governors led by chairman Ricky Vargas of TNT.
“Patuloy pa rin nating pinapasaya, pinapaligaya ang mga Pilipino dito at sa ibang bansa,” Marcial, the amiable PBA chief, said.
It all began in the summer of 1975 and the PBA is showing no signs of slowing down.
“Fifty years. I cannot imagine how long we’ve been,” Vargas said. “The first in Asia. Fifty years, and it all began with a simple dream—to give Filipino basketball players a league of their own.”
