MANILA, Philippines?Five former Most Valuable Players and a legendary import head the fresh batch of nominees to the Philippine Basketball Association Hall of Fame.

Benjie Paras, the league?s first rookie MVP in 1989, along with the prolific Allan Caidic (1990), Ato Agustin (1992), Filipino-American Ricardo Brown (1985), Freddie Hubalde (1977) and seven-time Best Import Bobby Parks made the initial cut in the league?s third induction of basketball greats on May 23 at the Sofitel Hotel.

Former league superstars Bernie Fabiosa, Hector Calma, Samboy Lim and former import Glenn McDonald complete the 10 candidates picked by the nomination committee chaired by Barako Bull team manager Andy Jao.

Four-time MVP Ramon Fernandez and the legendary Robert Jaworski were among the first PBA icons enshrined together with Crispa?s Grand Slam coach Baby Dalupan, former commissioners Leo Prieto, late league officials Danny Floro and Emerson Coseteng, broadcaster Joe Cantada and lawyer Rudy Salud, cagers Bogs Adornado, Francis Arnaiz, Philip Cezar and Atoy Co during the league?s 30th anniversary rites in 2005.

Pioneer pros Manny Paner and Danny Florencio, two-time MVP Abet Guidaben and import Norman Black joined the elite circle two years ago, along with coaches Ron Jacobs and Toyota?s Dante Silverio, former PBA president Domingo Itchon, writer Tony Siddayao, broadcaster Pinggoy Pengson and San Miguel Corp. chair Eduardo Cojuangco Jr.