PBA legend Jojo Lastimosa makes his case for the inclusion of three former stars in the league’s 50 greatest players list.
In a few weeks, the selection committee appointed by the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) will announce the 10 players who will join the league’s 40 greatest players and form the 50 greatest.
There has been much speculation and analysis on the 10 who should make the list, which will be revealed on April 9 to coincide with the PBA’s 50 anniversary. But one PBA legend has made some of his choices known.
For TNT Tropang Giga team manager Jojo Lastimosa, three players deserve a call-up.
“I have a definite answer for you,” the man called “Jolas” told The GAME in an exclusive interview during the press conference for the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup Finals.
“I think Nelson (Asaytono) should be a no-doubter for that project,” said Lastimosa, a
member of the PBA’s original list of 25 greatest players released in 2000. The two were teammates on the national team in 1987 and with the Purefoods franchise for two seasons.
Over a 17-year playing career, Asaytono played in 850 games and averaged 15.0 points per game on 52% field goal shooting. He won seven titles, was the league’s scoring champion in 1996, and was named to the PBA Mythical First Team three times and Second Team four times. He was also a 10-time All-Star and undoubtedly one of the most popular players of his generation. His omission from the league’s 40 greatest players list left many fans and fellow players dumbfounded.
Two from the 1970s
Aside from “The Bull,” Lastimosa had a couple of other players from the PBA’s early years in mind.
“That’s Nelson. And if you want to go back pa ng kaunti sa era na hindi ko na naabutan, like si Arnie Tuadles.”
Tuadles, who averaged 13.7 points per game, played 14 seasons and won nine titles with three different franchises. He was Rookie of the Year in 1979 and was the first rookie to be named to the Mythical Five.
His signature game was one that Lastimosa has never forgotten, for it came at the expense of his then-team the Purefoods Hotdogs in Game 7 of the 1990 All-Filipino Conference. With ace gunner Allan Caidic sidelined by a fractured hand, no one gave Tuadles and the Presto Tivolis any chance to win. But Tuadles rose to the occasion.
“I have a recollection of Arnie, Game 7 namin against Presto when I was a rookie or second year ko na (it was actually in Lastimosa’ third season),” Lastimosa recalled. “Si Allan was hurt that time. Sabi ko, panalo na tayo Game 7 dito.
“Nagwala si Arnie, kuwarenta yata ginawa niya (actually 33). So, that’s how good Arnie was. He’s always been in a team na malakas, and medyo na overshadowed siya dun sa mga name superstars na si Jawo (Sonny Jaworski), si (Mon) Fernandez.
Lastimosa also believes that players like Tuadles, who had his share of off-court issues especially in retirement, should be judged by their accomplishments on the court.
“Arnie is a big player, very underrated, and he’s got really good skills. He’s a small guy who can post up. I believe with his averages, and huwag na natin pag-usapan yung nangyari sa kanya off the court, but definitely as a player, if that’s your qualification, then Arnie should be there.”
The third player on Lastimosa’s list is Abe King, who some believe should have been included as early as 2000. King played 18 seasons and was part of 13 PBA champion teams. He bridged generations, winning his first titles with Jaworski and Fernandez in the 1970s and his last ones with Alvin Patrimonio and Jerry Codiñera in the 1990s.
“Si Abe’s another one, because ang dami nakakalimot kay Abe sa mga ginawa niya before,” Lastimosa said. “I remember, he had a 64-point game, a 20-rebound game, and he was a dominant big man. And even at the late part of his career, nakakalaro pa siya noon. He became a defender, an important defender, and he was good at it.
“He was tough, player pa ni Chot (Reyes) yan eh. And, I don’t know his averages, but I know he has very good averages throughout his career. So, he’s another guy I thought should be there.”
For the record, King averaged 10.0 points and 6.7 rebounds in 782 games. But he was best-known as an excellent defender and even better teammate and mentor to countless players.
Lastimosa concedes that the last two MVPs – June Mar Fajardo and Scottie Thompson – are practically shoo-ins, leaving five slots open.
“That’s going to be a tough call for the guys (on the selection committee),” he noted. “I don’t envy their job to select the next five.”
Banner Images from PBA Media Bureau.