PBA fans remember Brown

LOS ANGELES — It’s time to hear from some regular readers of this column. Messages were either posted on www.jannelleso.net or sent via email.

"I read your article about Ricky Brown. It’s good to know he’s doing well. Sana you can also do some write-ups about other PBA players (local or foreign), the players I grew up watching, Billy Ray Bates, Cyrus Mann, Andy Fields, Byron "Snake" Jones, Otto Moore . . . the old ones. Well, maybe most, if not all of these names may sound unfamiliar to you. Just want to know how and where they are now," wrote Boyet Macasaet of LTO Central Office in Diliman, Quezon City.

I’ll try my best to do research on the former players you’ve named. I know a fellow columnist Quinito Henson also writes about them once in a while. For now, I have bits and pieces of new information about former local PBA players who have retired and left the country.

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The much-anticipated PBA Legends At Iba Pa — a reunion of ex-PBA players — was held last weekend at the Veterans Sports Complex in Carson City, California. Former Sen. Robert Jaworski was the guest of honor. The Big J addressed the crowd with a short speech about living in America, dealing with diversity and helping each other.

For the one-day event which was a follow up to the "Rudy Distrito Cup" held last May to raise funds to help pay the legal fees of PBA’s "The Destroyer," Rino Salazar traveled to Carson from Juneau, Alaska; Yoyoy Villamin came from New Jersey; and Dennis Abatuan flew all the way from London. I will be writing about their stories after the PBA in the coming weeks.

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"Thanks for writing some news about our old folks in the PBA like Rudy Distrito in PUMP Magazine, the Quick Brown Fox Ricardo Brown in Philippine STAR yesterday. You know nakakatulong ito sa ating mga fans para ma update kung ano ba ang buhay nila ngayon," wrote Lito Ramos, Project Officer at L.A. Ducut and Co., Inc.

It seems the Ricky Brown series was received warmly and widely read by his former fans. Here are more comments.

"Hi Jannelle. I’ve been reading your column on Ricky Brown and I must say, I really miss him! He’s one of my idols growing up. I still remember seeing him on the hardcourt moving around with his patented crouching manner and passing the ball with great accuracy and efficiency. He can shoot very well from the outside and was great on defense. The name "quick brown fox" is very apt for him. He’s quick on his feet and as sly as a fox when it comes to out-thinking his opponents and releasing his jump shot without them knowing what hit them. It would have been great if he were able to come here for the PBA Greats vs. Legends game. It could have been euphoric for so many people who came in droves (I know I was one of them) just to see him and the other players strut their stuff on the hardcourt. Maybe we’ll get another chance to see him relive his glory days in the PBA which he helped mold to what it is today," said Paulo D. Viernesto in a message he posted on August 10th, 2005.

For years I’ve been looking for some article regarding one of my foremost basketball idols from way back, the great ‘Quick Brown Fox’. So many years had gone since the last time I saw Mr. Ricardo Brown in action but the memories of his great plays, especially his days with the San Miguel team, still linger in my mind up to these days. So for all the wonderful memories you left behind to all the Filipino basketball fans in general, thank you very, very much. I can assure you, you will never ever be forgotten. I wish you all the best in life; my regards to all your loved ones, as well," posted by Ed H. Moreno on August 18th, 2005.

"Quick brown fox" was also generous enough to post a message for all his fans and for those who responded to the articles.

"To the Filipino people, the great basketball fans of the PBA, and to those particular fans of Jannelle... I sincerely thank you for all the support, love, and inspiration you gave me during my time in the PBA. The moments we shared, both on and off of the basketball floor, are both most special and priceless to me. The fact that you still remember me and appreciate my efforts during my playing days, bring humility and inspiration to my life.

"It is most regrettable that I am unable to continue to share a closer relationship with you in some capacity at this time, but perhaps that could change one day in the near future. The PBA players today are playing in front of the greatest basketball fans in the world, who possess a sense of loyalty and dedication unmatched anywhere. My only advice to those players is to appreciate and enjoy this privilege to the fullest, give as much back to the people as you possibly can, and never take this opportunity God has blessed you with for granted... for it will end sooner than you expect.

"God Bless you all and always know that while I am physically no longer in the Philippines, my heart and spirit will always remain there."

I would also like to thank those readers who call my attention to some points in my articles that need to be checked.

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For comments, suggestions, reactions, please post your messages on www.jannelleso.net.