Healing the past

The Philippine Basketball Association, thanks to its expert selection committee, has healed many of the wounds from the past in adding 10 illustrious names for its list of 50 greatest players of all time. Finally, Nelson Asaytono, Bong Hawkins, Abe King, Manny Victorino, Yoyoy Villamin, Danny Seigle, Arnie Tuadles and Jeff Cariaso are enshrined among the league’s unforgettable talents. It is as it should be. 

Seven-time champion Asaytono, “The Bull,” was the most infamous omission a decade ago. Nine-time champ Villamin was close behind. King was a formidable presence who had a picture-perfect, fastbreak pitch and defended imports of all sizes for Toyota and Great Taste Coffee. Hawkins was the only Alaska Milk Mythical Team member from their 1996 Grand Slam season to be left out, as Johnny Abarrientos and Jojo Lastimosa were included among the 40 greatest. Victorino won six titles and was ahead of his time, a fastbreaking small man in a big man’s body. Tuadles scored 50 points in the two games of the first PBA All-Star series. What a wealth of achievement.

One of the biggest discussions is whether or not active players should be part of such lists. In the NBA, including current players has been avoided, to give preference to those who have come before. The PBA’s rule is to also automatically include all MVP winners. That substantiates the addition of June Mar Fajardo and Scottie Thompson. In this writer’s opinion, they would be part of the list eventually when they retire, anyway, since they had already earned their trophies. The previous lists already added several active players who had won the accolade, like Alvin Patrimonio and Benjie Paras, and many of their contemporaries such as Allan Caidic, Jerry Codiñera, Ronnie Magsanoc and Abarrientos. 

In comparison, the NBA did not automatically include all MVPs. In its line-up of 50 players back in the 1996 – 1997 season, Bob McAdoo was the lone Most Valuable Player who was excluded, along with six-time All-NBA selectee and nine-time NBA All-Star Dominique Wilkins. This egregious oversight was cured when, inevitably, both were included in the league’s 75th anniversary master list.

One thing that the PBA did very well was selecting a committee with vast experience, varied point of view, and unparalleled knowledge of league history. With all these great voices doing their homework, picking and discussing, it was impossible for one person to sway any of the decisions. Thankfully, many of those that have been snubbed in the past are now where they rightfully belong. As this writer pointed out 10 years ago, there was a very thin roster of power forwards in the 40 greatest list. That has now been rectified exceedingly well.

Of course, there are still those whom fans believe should have been part of this new list. Ranidel de Ocampo, LA Tenorio, and even Olsen Racela have been mentioned. We suppose that they will inevitably be included, considering that the memory of previous generations of players may be lost to time and the lack of video support.

It is virtually impossible to balance statistical excellence with other achievements and popularity among the fans, and you will never be able to satisfy everybody. Be that as it may, the updated roster of the PBA’s greatest players has shown compassion, comprehension, and completion of those who should belong among the pantheon of the league’s unforgettable greats. Congratulations to the PBA on its 50th anniversary.