PSA to toast 1973 Asian basketball champions

The Philippine basketball team that dominated the 1973 Fiba-Asia Championship will be feted during the Philippine Sportswriters Association Annual Awards Night presented by Milo next month.

Bannered by living legends Robert Jaworski and four-time PBA Most Valuable Player Ramon Fernandez, the team will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from the country’s oldest media organization.

The Nationals proved tremendous in their run to the Asian crown in Manila, winning all their 10 games under the tutelage of the late coach Valentin “Tito” Eduque.

The impressive showing was highlighted by a 90-78 spanking of a South Korean side led by the legendary Shin Dong-pa in the finals. The win gave the Filipinos a berth in the 1974 Fiba World Cup in Puerto Rico.

The team also included William “Bogs” Adornado, Abet Guidaben, Jimmy Mariano, Francis Arnaiz, Yoyong Martirez, Manny Paner, Joy Cleofas, Big Boy Reynoso, Rogelio “Tembong” Melencio and Dave Regullano.

“Before Gilas, there was the 1973 Philippine men’s team which made us all proud by winning the Fiba Asia Championship right in front of basketball-loving Filipino fans,” said PSA president Jun Lomibao of Business Mirror. “It is only fitting that the entire team be recognized as the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award during its Annual Awards Night.”

The PSA also honored cage great Carlos “Caloy” Loyzaga, former International Olympic Committee (IOC) representative to the country Francisco “Frank” Elizalde, and one-time FIBA Asia secretary general Mauricio “Moying” Martelino with Lifetime Achievement awards last year.

The PSA will also hand out the Athlete of the Year trophy, with Daniel Caluag of cycling, Donnie Nietes of professional boxing, and Gabriel Moreno of archery on the short list.

Caluag won the only gold for the Philippines in BMX cycling in the Incheon 17th Asian Games last October, while Nietes surpassed the record set by the late Gabriel “Flash” Elorde as the longest-reigning Filipino world champion. Moreno struck gold in the mixed team event of archery in the Youth Olympic Games in partnership with China’s Li Jiaman.

The PSA awards is also supported by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), Globalport, and Rain or Shine.