Seven cage greats to Hall of Fame

Seven basketball greats were enshrined to the prestigious Hall of Fame Sunday at the ballroom of the Manila Peninsula Hotel.

Pampanga pride Geronimo Cruz, Alfonso Marquez, Loreto Carbonell and Kurt Bachmann braved the inclement weather as they attended the short, but meaningful ceremonies before an appreciative crowd composed of leading sports officials and personalities.

The late Eddie Lim and Mariano Tolentino were represented by members of their respective families, while the widow of Charlie Badion delivered a taped message, thanking the Hall of Fame organizers for the honor.

Mrs. Marlet Navarro received the Ramon Orlina trophy in behalf of Tolentino, while Mon Lim received the trophy for his father Eddie.

"Sorry to all those whom I elbowed," joked Cruz setting the tone for a vibrant, memorable third enshrinement ceremonies.

Cruz, a two-time Olympian, whose legendary career was cut short by a knee injury when he was 26 years old, was one of seven cagers who recently joined the Hall of Fame.

Former Representative and now Bukidnon Gov. Jose Zubiri Jr., the brain behind the Hall of Fame, gave the opening remarks. Eric Buhain, chair of the Philippine Sports Commission, was the guest of honor in the ceremonies emceed by Quinito Henson.

Among the prominent guests were PBA commissioner Jun Bernardino, Pagcor chair Efraim Genuino, PSC commissioner Mike Barredo, Ambassador Barry Gusi of Micronesia, former POC president Julian Malonso, Vintage’s Bobong Velez, BAP legal counsel Boni Alentajan, Leo Prieto, Danny Lopez, Hall of Famer Ramoncito Campos and PBA great Atoy Co.

Respected businessmen-sportsmen Manolo Lopez of Meralco and Fernando Zobel de Ayala of the Ayala Corporation are the chair and vice-chair, respectively, of the Board of Trustees of the National Basketball Hall of Fame Foundation Inc.

The new inductees joined 15 others representing the first and second batch of the Hall of Fame awardees.

They were Fely Fajardo, Charles Borck, Jacinto Ciria Cruz, Primitivo Martinez, Ramoncito Campos, Ed Ocampo, Gabriel Fajardo, Narciso Bernardo, Lauro Mumar, Carlos Loyzaga, Rafael Hechanova Sr., Pocholo Martinez, Francisco Vestil, Tony Genato and Martin Urra.