MANILA, Philippines — Deputy Speaker Cong. Eric Martinez said yesterday a Robert Jaworski tribute court will be inaugurated in Barangay Parada, Valenzuela, next month, making it the 12th multi-purpose gym he will initiate in the second district to cement the city’s legacy as the country’s basketball capital.
Martinez recently organized the inauguration of the Barangay Ginebra tribute court in Paso de Blas with Jaworski’s son Dodot and other PBA veterans Allan Caidic, Pido Jarencio, Marlou Aquino, Willie Miller, Noli Locsin, Bal David and Gerry Esplana attending. Highlighting the inauguration was the retirement of Jaworski’s No. 7 jersey and Caidic’s No. 8 with Martinez declaring that no player will ever step on the court wearing either number.
Jaworski’s son unveiled the court’s commemorative marker which called attention to the facility as an inspiration to stay health in body and mind. In his remarks, Dodot thanked Martinez, the Valenzuela community and Ginebra fans, mentioned the Big J is recovering from a health condition and asked for prayers to get him back to full strength.
A mural honoring Ginebra’s Never-Say-Die spirit is at one end of the gym. The mural’s focal point is an artist’s rendition of Jaworski embraced by teammate Francis Arnaiz. It’s a reminder of the PBA game between Ginebra and Northern Consolidated on Oct. 22, 1985 when Jaworski was cut in the mouth by a wayward elbow from Jeff Moore late in the first quarter, rushed to a nearby hospital for doctors to sew up the wound with nine stitches and brought back to the game with a swollen heavily-bandaged upper lip to score 17 points in rallying his team to victory from a double-digit deficit.
Martinez said the House of Jawo will immortalize the Living Legend. “There are nine barangays in the second district and we already have 11 tribute courts aside from playgrounds and a football field,” he said. “We’re praying that the Big J will be able to come and see for himself the court built in his honor.”