Big reunion of PBA's finest

This time, you'll see them surely in their Sunday best for they are attending an affair like no other.

Robert Jaworski may be seen mingling with former teammates Ompong Segura, Emer Legaspi, Francis Arnaiz and Chito Loy-zaga in one corner, Atoy Co, Philip Cezar, Abet Gui-daben, Bernie Fabiosa, Freddie Hubalde and Bogs Adornado reminiscing their good old Crispa days in another corner, and Baby Dalupan having a good chat with fellow old coaches Tito Eduque and Ning Ramos in yet another corner.

The likes of Alvin Patrimonio, Johnny Abarrientos, Jun Limpot, Vergel Meneses, Jojo Lastimosa, Kenneth Duremdes, Benjie Paras, Ato Agustin will surely be there.

And possibly, the likes of Jaime Otazu, Roberto Salonga, Rolando Marcelo, Alfonso Jovero, Cesar Ijarez, Francisco Henares, Mariano Figuracion, Romeo Frank, Alfredo Enriquez, Jesus Dungo, Joselito Eguia, Eusenio del Rosario, Robert Concepcion, Gavino Amomonpon, Bienvenido Alenton, Mark Arriola, Zito Bacon will be there, too.

Each one has become a part of the PBA family.

And for all these people, it's party time as the PBA, the first Asian professional cage league, turns 25. It's twenty-five years from the day the first PBA game was played.

The PBA promised to commemorate the milestone with a bang via a three-hour spectacle that combines a grand reunion of PBA players, a glittering gathering of showbiz stars and a nostalgic trip down memory lane.

The silver anniversary show will be spiced up by live performances and historical TV footage and will be telecast by Viva Vintage Sports live from the Araneta Coliseum starting at 6 p.m. on IBC 13. Admission is free with the tickets available at Ticketnet outlets.

The Araneta Coliseum bash serves as the first official homecoming of the PBA, and those who have played, coached and managed any team in the league in the past have been invited.

Some 800 players have seen action in the PBA but 25 of the best names will stand out from the rest as they are heralded the league's 25 All-Time Greats.

To the selection committee composed of the living commissioners of the league, these are the men who made the biggest impact in the PBA's first 25 years.

In the elite cast are Ramon Fernandez, Alvin Patrimonio, Bogs Adornado, Abet Guidaben, Benjie Paras, Atoy Co, Philip Cezar, Robert Jaworski, Allan Caidic, Ricky Brown, Johnny Abarrientos, Renato Agustin, Freddie Hubalde, Vergel Meneses, Kenneth Duremdes, Hector Calma, Jerry Codinera, Francis Arnaiz, Jojo Lastimosa, Danny Florencio, Samboy Lim, Manny Panner, Ronnie Magsanoc, Lim Eng Beng and Bernie Fabiosa.

The list is a mix of those who made an impact during the league's formative years and those who have excelled in modern time.

Sharing the spotlight with these great cagers are four brilliant mentors who will be feted for completing a sweep of the three championships in a season. These are Baby Dalupan (1976, Crispa), Tommy Manotoc (1983, Crispa), Norman Black (1989, San Miguel Beer) and Tim Cone (1996, Alaska Milk).

The celebration actually kicks off with the opening of the Jolibee PBA Silver Memories -- a photo/momorabilia exhibit which will be held at the Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall's fourth level for the next seven days.

Jaworski will be present during the ribbon-cutting ceremonies together with fellow Senator Nikki Coseteng, who has been invited to represent her father, the late Emerson Coseteng who was the founding PBA president.