June Mar Fajardo, the eight-time MVP, and Scottie Thompson, the 2021 MVP, headline a new wave of basketball immortals as they lead the next 10 players to be honored in the PBA’s prestigious list of all-time greats.
The two modern day superstars, alongside a stellar cast of pioneers and standout figures from the early years of the league, will be celebrated on April 11 at Solaire North in a gala event marking the league’s 50th season.
Fajardo and Thompson will be joined by basketball legends Nelson Asaytono, Jeffrey Cariaso, Bong Hawkins, Abe King, Danny Seigle, Manny Victorino, Yoyoy Villamin, and the late Arnie Tuadles.
These names were confirmed after extensive discussions by the PBA Selection Committee, a process that included careful deliberations to ensure that the league’s history was represented by the very best.
PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial praised the hard work of the selection committee and the difficulty of the task in choosing the honorees.
“Dumaan ito sa malalim na proseso nang pagpili, and the PBA would like to thank the members of the Selection Committee for the effort they rendered. Hindi madali ang kanilang naging pagpupulong dahil alam nating lahat na marami ang deserving,” Marcial told the league’s official website.
“For the players eventually selected to be included in the honor roll, congratulations, and we salute you for your great contribution to the league.”
The Selection Committee, chaired by former PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios, also included basketball icons such as Ramon Fernandez, Atoy Co, Allan Caidic, Dante Silverio, Quinito Henson, Andy Jao, Al Mendoza, Ding Marcelo, and Nelson Beltran.
The gala event will not only honor this new batch of legends but also celebrate the PBA’s golden anniversary.
The league’s first 40 all-time greats, selected in 2000 and 2015, will also be in attendance to welcome the new inductees.
Among the initial 40 were iconic players like Johnny Abarrientos, Bogs Adornado, and Alvin Patrimonio, while a second batch of 15, featuring names like James Yap, Asi Taulava, and Jimmy Alapag, was added later.
As part of the 50th season festivities, the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup opens on Friday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. The league will celebrate its 50th founding anniversary with a special event on July 9 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum, where San Miguel Beer and Meralco will face off in retro jerseys.
