IT was long time coming, but worth the wait.
The 10 additional players were finally installed as part of the PBA 50 Greatest Players in a formal ceremony Friday night at the grand ballroom of the Solaire Resort North with ArenaPlus as co-Presenter.
The list was done alphabetically led by 17-year power forward Nelson Asaytono.
The now 58-year-old Asaytono was joined by Jeffrey Cariaso, June Mar Fajardo, Rene ''Bong' Hawkins, Abe King, Danny Seigle, Scottie Thompson, the late Arnie Tuadles, Manny Victorino, and Yoyoy Villamin.
Fajardo and Thompson, the two MVP winners in the group, are the only active players, with the rest all retired.
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"Finally, nakasami na kami," said Asaytono, echoing the emotions his fellow retirees felt as they finally joined the list of the greatest players to suit up in Asia's pioneering pro league which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.
The event also have BingoPlus, Daily Fantasy and Worlds Balance as major sponsors and Pocari Sweat, DCA Power Tools and Fitbar as event partners.
Asaytono, Cariaso, Fajardo, Hawkins, Seigle, Thompson, and Victorino personally received their award, while King was represented by his former Toyota coach Dante Silverio and teammate Allan Caidic, while Villamin was represented by his wife Cynthia and son Earl.
On hand to welcome them in the elite group are members of the 40 Greatest Players, namely Johnny Abarrientos, Renato Agustin, Fortunato 'Atoy' Co, Allan Caidic, Kenneth Duremdes, Jerry Codinera, Freddie Hubalde, Jojo Lastimosa, Danny Ildefonso, Ronnie Magsanoc, Benjie Paras, Alvin Patrimonio, Kerby Raymundo, Arwind Santos, and Asi Taulava,
Southeast Asian Games gold medalists in karateka Jamie Lim came to represent his late father Avelino 'Samboy' Lim, while the son of former Crispa legend Bernie Fabiosa represented his father, who is currently based in the US.
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Past commissioners Renauld 'Sonny' Barrios, Chito Salud, and Chito Narvasa also graced the special event flanked by members of the current PBA Board led by Chairman Ricky Vargas and Commissioner Willie Marcial.
"Fifty years. I cannot imagine how long we've been. The first in Asia. Fifty years, and it all began with a simple dream - to give Filipino basketball players a league of their own," said Vargas in his opening remarks.
Board members present include Vice Chairman Alfrancis Chua (Barangay Ginebra), treasurer Atty. Raymond Zorilla (Phoenix), Archen Cayabyab (Converge), Ronald Dulatre (NLEX), Atty. Bill Pamintuan (Meralco), Siliman Sy (Blackwater), Eric Arejola (Northport), Atty. Mamerto Mondragon (Rain or Shine), Rene Pardo (Magnolia), Robert Non (San Miguel), and Bobby Rosales (Terrafirma).
"Patuloy pa rin nating pinapasaya, pinapaligaya ang mga Pilipino dito at sa ibang bansa," said Marcial in his speech.
"Hindi basta-basta matitibag, hindi basta-basta kayang pabagsakin, hindi basta-basta mawawala. Kaya ngayong 50th yeas natin, ang campaign cheer natin 'PBA Solid' (RG)
