The maroon No. 12 that once battled on the hardwood now hangs where it belongs.
On Friday, University of Perpetual Help System DALTA formally retired the jersey of one of its greatest sons, Bong Hawkins, in a ceremony at the Home of the Altas Gym II.
The tribute capped this year’s University Week celebration and coincided with the institution’s 50th Foundation Anniversary at its Las Piñas City campus.
Hawkins was joined by University President Dr. Anthony Tamayo, Vice President for Sports Anton Tamayo, and School Director Dr. Arnaldo De Guzman.
“It’s an honor and a source of pride to be one of the athletes to have a jersey retirement like this,” Hawkins said before the crowd during halftime of the Sports Fest Finals. “Nagpapasalamat po ako sa Tamayo Family, especially to Sir Tony, Ma’am Daisy, Sir Anthony, our President, and Anton Tamayo, Vice President for Sports, sa parangal na ito.”
Hawkins, fondly known as “The Hawk” for his relentless motor, was the first Altas product to carve out a truly illustrious career in the Philippine Basketball Association.
He defied odds and expectations, building a résumé worthy of inclusion among the PBA’s 50 Greatest Players.
(C) Dennis Abrina/Perpetual
His professional career glittered with accolades: PBA Finals MVP (1996 Commissioner’s Conference), eight-time PBA champion, three-time PBA All-Star (1994–1996), 1994 Most Improved Player, member of the PBA All-Defensive Team (1994), two-time Mythical First Team selection (1995, 1996), and two-time Mythical Second Team honoree (1994, 2000).
Long before the championships and MVP trophies, Hawkins was already laying the foundation of his greatness in Las Piñas.
He suited up for the Perpetual Altas from 1984 to 1989 under head coach Roberto Littaua. Bannered by then Most Valuable Player Eric Quiday, Ronald Sy, and Hawkins himself, the Altas reached their first-ever NCAA Finals appearance in Season 65 in 1989.
Though they fell to the defending champion San Sebastian Golden Stags in a best-of-three series, that breakthrough run marked a defining chapter in the school’s basketball history — and Hawkins was at its heart.
The honors have continued well beyond his playing days.
Earlier this month, Hawkins was recognized as a Distinguished Alumni in Sports during the university’s 2026 Grand Alumni Homecoming held at the Manila Hotel on February 7. He shared the spotlight with Scottie Thompson, another proud product of the Perpetual basketball program.
Thompson himself made history in 2023 as the first Altas varsity player to have his jersey retired, when his No. 6 was raised during the school’s 48th Foundation Day celebration.
