Making their case

We’re still fielding feedback regarding our piece on the Manual magazine article pitting the 1985-95 PBA All-Star squad against the 1996-06 All-Stars. It seems that opinions are very pointed, sentimental, and strong enough to warrant more space in this column.

Jojo Lucas’ ([email protected]) opens this week’s barrage with a tribute to the retired players.

"I’d take the ’85 squad. Why? Because the way I was made to understand the game, their brand of play is how it should be played. More of a team game, not the shoot first-pass later point guard. Who among the frontliners can orchestrate an offense with excellent dribbling, elegant shooting and smart passing skills? And most of all, who could shoot from anywhere when given the signal? It’s all about having a multi-faceted game besides the oversized muscles and thunderous dunks. Good if you’re seven-footers!

"Would it be possible to ask the guys these people played with? I’m sure they could give us firsthand info considering they were the ones left behind the first quick steps, blind passes while watching swaks. And of course the victims of the elbows, "hawak" or "tukod" and other "gulangs".    

Roy Cayamanda ([email protected]) reinforces the point.

"Comparing the ’85-’95 all stars with the ’96-’06 all stars, I’d say the former would win by a mile if the game were played on even terms, meaning if the players were just about the same age. The ’85-’95 all stars have much better basketball skills because they didn’t just rely on their individual brute strength and they had finesse in their games, something I don’t find in the present crop of players. Outside shooting as you’ve mentioned is another advantage of the ’85-’95 All Stars. It would be fun to see this game though if it were to become reality."

Gilbert Marzan ([email protected]) wants to make his own adjustments in the line-ups, but believes today’s players would win a drawn-out battle.

"The idea of grouping players from two different eras was great. You’re right, it would make for a helluva video game.

"For the 1985-1995 team, even though I believe Samboy Lim was at a different level from his peers back then (probably the Michael Jordan of Asia), I believe that ‘El Presidente’ deserves the spot as a starter over the ‘Skywalker’. I say this because of all the accomplishments/stats of Fernandez when he was in the PBA. Also, Samboy would be better coming from the bench as he could provide the much-needed energy not only on the court but also from the fans.

"For the 1996-2006 team, I would also like to comment that I think Danny Ildefonso, a two-time MVP, Duremdes and Meneses, both MVPs, deserve to start over Renren, Danny Seigle and Major Pain. In their prime, Ildefonso, Meneses and Duremdes won MVPs over the other players.

"The height and build of the 96-06 team will eventually take its toll against the 85-95 team. I see the 85-95 team to start out strong and run out for a lead, but once the 96-06 team buckles down to business and start grinding it out defensively, there is no doubt the 96-06 team will win over their more celebrated counterparts."

Arwin B. Rañola ([email protected]) still thinks the old-timers can beat today’s Fil-Am laced teams.

"The 1985-1995 team, I think, has an advantage in terms of shooting and teamwork, while the 1996-2006 has more height and size they can utilize for post-up plays. The game would be run and gun versus half-court offense.

"In the end, I think I know who would win. No matter how big this current crop of players are, I still remember how Benjie Paras defended his Rookie-MVP award in 1999 when PBA was invaded by Fil-Ams like Eric Menk, Danny Seigle, Asi Taulava, etc. Because of this, the team of 1985-1995 will win."

Ronald Castilan ([email protected]), sent an e-mail all the way from Tucson, Arizona to say that the game would be decided by brains, not brawn.

"I started to watch basketball in the early 80’s until 2004, so I know all the players mentioned. I will go with the 85-95 team even though they lack size, but they are what we call the "basketball thinkers".

Roderick Dipasupil even goes so far as to suggest adding players from the league’s first decade.

"Telling who would win — supposing this "hypothetical" match happens — is easier said than done. It’s like determining who’s better: Michael Jordan or Wilt Chamberlain; the Bulls of Jordan against the Celtics of Bill Russell, Manny Pacquiao and Gabriel Elorde, Muhammad Ali or Mike Tyson. They are in different eras, so they are in dissimilar situations.

" I would like to make this event not just a game but a "mythical" tournament. I want my 1975-1984 "pioneers" squad to enter. My starters — Sonny Jaworski (point guard), Atoy Co (off-guard), Bogs Adornado (small forward), Philip Cezar (power forward) and Mon Fernandez (center). Coming off the bench are Francis Arnaiz, Estoy Estrada, Freddie Hubalde, Manny Paner and Abet Guidaben. The coach is Baby Dalupan. In their prime this team could give the two other selections a run for their money.

Joel Anzures ([email protected]) all the way in Sydney, Australia — an avid reader of The STAR and viewer of The Basketball Show on The Filipino Channel, takes it a step further, adding back-ups and mentioning his favorite all-time imports.

"I’ve been following PBA games since the Toyota-Crispa days. Up to now even though I’m in Sydney I still watch PBA games on TFC. Here are my best 5 ever. All of them are Pinoys (no cheating). Point guard — Robert Jaworski — (Hector Calma, Ronnie Magsanoc, Johnny Abarrientos). Shooting guard — Atoy Co (Francis Arnaiz, Samboy Lim, Danny Florencio). Small forward — Bogs Adornado (Allan Caidic, Arnie Tuadles, Vergel Meneses) Power forward — Philip Cezar (Alvin Patrimonio). Center — Mon Fernandez (Benjie Paras, Abet Guidaben )

Let’s raise the stakes even further. Who do you think would be the all-time starting five from the entire history of the PBA? E-mail this writer at [email protected]. We’d love to hear from you.