GALAXY OF STARS: Asaytono, Hawkins overjoyed by inclusion to PBA 50

In a night full of stars, 10 exceptional cage heroes took the spotlight with their names immortalized in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) 50 Greatest Players.

The league, in celebration of its 50th anniversary, rolled the red carpet to the third batch of honor roll that expanded the initial 40 names in the elite club of PBA stars during the glamorous gala night Friday at the Solaire Resort North in Quezon City.

After a long wait, retired forward Nelson Asaytono finally earned his inclusion in the list of greats.

“Overwhelmed,” the 58-year-old two-time Best Player of the Conference (BPC) winner said as he joined the well-attended event that gathered former and current PBA players.

“After the long wait, finally (I made the list),” he added.

Asaytono led seven other retired players and two active stars in eight-time Most Valuable Player and 11-time BPC June Mar Fajardo of San Miguel Beer and Scottie Thompson of Barangay Ginebra.

Asaytono missed the cut in the first 25 Greatest Players named in 2000 and then again in the 15 names feted in 2015.

“This is not only a personal achievement, but this fulfills the wish of my family and friends who have long waited for me to be on this list,” Asaytono said.

“It’s a great feeling because this is a big achievement as a retired player.”

Together with former teammate and now Blackwater coach Jeffrey Cariaso, Bong Hawkins was just overjoyed to join other Alaska buddies Jojo Lastimosa and Johnny Abarrientos in the expanded “Greatest” list.

“Happy that the core of that grand slam is now here. It’s a big honor,” Hawkins said of the mini reunion of the fabled Milkmen that completed a grand slam in 1996 under legendary coach Tim Cone.

Abarrientos and Lastimosa got their recognition in the initial 25 Greatest.

The entire PBA board led by chairman Ricky Vargas and commissioner Willie Marcial led the awarding ceremony.

Also added on the list were 13-time PBA titlist Abe King, two-time BPC and 1999 RoY Danny Seigle, Yoyoy Villamin, a nine-time PBA champion and member of the 1983 grand slam champion Crispa, and six-time PBA champion Manny Victorino.

Arnie Tuadles, a nine-time champion and 1979 RoY, round up the third batch and was recognized posthumously.

The additional names were meticulously screened by a 10-man Selection Committee chaired by former league commissioner Sonny Barrios.

Four-time MVP and all-time scoring leader Ramon Fernandez, 1979 MVP Atoy Co, 1990 MVP Allan Caidic, five-time champion coach Dante Silverio and sports journalists Ding Marcelo, Al Mendoza, Nelson Beltran, Andy Jao and Joaquin Henson compose the rest of the panel.

The panel held its initial meeting last 6 February and convened two more times before coming up with the final 10 names from the shortlist of 32 nominees.

The PBA 25 Greatest Players named 25 years ago is composed of Bogs Adornado, Ato Agustin, Francis Arnaiz, Ricardo Brown, Caidic, Hector Calma, Philip Cezar, Co, Jerry Codinera, Kenneth Duremdes, Bernard Fabiosa, Fernandez, Danny Florencio, Abet Guidaben, Freddie Hubalde, Robert Jaworski Sr., Lastimosa, Abarrientos, Lim Eng Beng, Avelino Lim, Ronnie Magsanoc, Vergel Meneses, Manny Paner, Alvin Patrimonio and Venancio Paras.

In 2015, added to the list to complete the 40 Greatest Players were Jimmy Alapag, Marlou Aquino, Mark Caguioa, Jayson Castro, Jayjay Helterbrand, Danny Ildefonso, Chito Loyzaga, Eric Menk, Willie Miller, Marc Pingris, Kerby Raymundo, Arwind Santos, Asi Taulava, Kelly Williams and James Yap.

The formal affair comes two days after the PBA held its 50th anniversary games on 9 April at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum pitting Magnolia and Converge, and San Miguel against Meralco wearing their retro jerseys.