Cariaso, Hawkins beam with pride

Alaska legends Jeffrey Cariaso and Bong Hawkins finally took their spot in the exclusive list of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) 50 Greatest Players.

No one was more elated in their inclusion than their former Milkmen teammate Jojo Lastimosa.

“For me, it’s a long-time coming. I’m happy for Bong and Jeff,” the TNT team manager said during the PBA gala night Friday to honor the latest batch of players inducted into the list of players that left an indelible mark in Asia’s first play-for-pay hoops league.

Cariaso and Hawkins were among the 10 honorees formally recognized in the gathering of PBA stars — old and new — in one memorable night in celebration of the league’s golden anniversary held at the Solaire Resorts North.

The two joined Lastimosa and Johnny Abarrientos in the expanded Greatest Players list in a reunion of the fabled core of the Milkmen that won the 1996 grand slam under head coach Tim Cone.

Lastimosa and Abarrientos were named in the initial 25 Greatest back in 2000.

Although their selection into the elite club took some time after a second snub in 2015 when the list was expanded to 40, Hawkins harbored no ill feelings.

“It’s OK, even if I wasn’t selected in the first two (batches). Muntik ako magbigti pero ngayon, okay na,” Hawkins joked.

Hawkins is an eight-time champion, the 1994 Most Improved Player and the 1996 Commissioner’s Cup Finals Most Valuable Player.

Lastimosa described the 57-year-old forward as a hard-nosed defender.

“Bong is the kind of player you hate to play against. You’d wish you’re on the same side,” he recalled.

In fact, Lastimosa even convinced Cone to get the 1991 second overall pick in a trade with Sta. Lucia in 1993.

“I experienced that firsthand when Bong was with Sta. Lucia. I had a hard time when he’s guarding me. So, when he had an opportunity to pick him up through a trade, I told Tim, ‘Tim, you better get Bong.’ Nahihirapan ako kay Bong eh,” Lastimosa shared drawing laughter from the media.

“So, the work got easier because our opponent’s best defender is already with us.”

The TNT executive, on the other hand, would like to believe that Cariaso played an important role in Alaska’s success during the mid-90s.

“Jeff is an integral part of our run. Without Jeff there, I don’t think we’ll be as successful as we were in those times in 1995 and 1996. Jeff, in his first two years with Alaska, was all in the finals,” Lastimosa said of the 1995 Rookie of the Year.

Cariaoso has eight titles under his name, won the 2002 Best Player of the Conference and the 2003 Reinforced Conference Finals MVP when he led Coca-Cola to the throne.

“Jeff is one of those rare players, he plays both ends of the court. He prides himself also as a defender other than his scoring,” Lastimosa added about the current Blackwater head coach.