FORMER multi-titled coach Dante of Toyoa was elated no end after two of his former players—Abe King and Arnie Tuadles—made it to the PBA’s 50 Greatest list and joined fellow Tamaraws in the golden selection.
“I think the five players are already deserving of the election,” Silverio said of the new elite group that also features Robert Jaworski Sr., Ramon Fernandez, and Francis Arnaiz. “I don’t think it can be questioned. Their statistics will bear the truth for this particular selection.
“I am (happy) because it’s been a long time coming for their election to the best 50 players in the PBA,” he added.
Silverio, 87, coached King and Tuadles during Toyota’s glory days in the late 1970s to the early 1980s.
Nelson Asaytono, current Blackwater coach Jeff Cariaso, reigning eight-time MVP June Mar Fajardo, Bong Hawkins, Danny Seigle, aformer MVP Scottie Thompson, Manny Victorino, and Elpidio “Yoyoy” Villamin are the other eight greats added to the list.
The 6-foot-3 King and the 6-foot-2 Tuadles suited up for the Tamaraws from 1977 until the legendary squad’s disbandment in 1983.
King finished his career as a 13-time champion after stops with San Miguel Beer, Presto and Purefoods.
Tuadles had nine rings in stints with Ginebra, Alaska, Shell and Presto.
Broadcaster Andy Jao, Silverio’s fellow member of the selection committee, said King, aptly nicknamed “Chairman of the Board,” was the first top choice.
“(The) Committee may not say it but he was the first unanimous player,” Jao said of Abe’s selection. “We all chose, you can ask them that, and eventually the eight others became unanimous.
“But Abe was the first unanimous player that we all put down on our first list so he deserves it.”
Silverio said King and Tuadles are worthy of their place and the championships they won clinched it for them.
“I think they have proven that by winning championships for their teams,” he said. “I don’t think there’s a better way of saying that they have done what should be done, by winning championships.
“They have proven that to be worthy of being a member of the PBA 50 Greatest list.”
