Sonny Jaworski –Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Basketball icon Sonny Jaworski has entered the pantheon of Filipino sports heroes after the Philippine Sports Hall of Fame immortalized the him along with nine other sports heroes in a digital ceremony on Sunday.
The 75-year-old Jaworski continues to be an inspiration for the succeeding generation of basketball players.
“Through all the years of playing competitive international and local basketball, I can honestly say that I have the best job in the world. The journey was fun and to be part of the lives of Filipinos for almost five decades has been the greatest honor of my life,’’ said Jaworski.
The Big J was a member of the Asian Basketball Confederation champion teams of 1967 and 1973 and also claimed the silver and bronze in the same tournament in 1969 and 1971.
Jaworski also saw action in the 1968 Mexico Olympic games, 1974 World Championships in Puerto Rico and was the coach of the silver medal-winning 1990 Asian Games men’s team composed of Philippine Basketball Association superstars.
“With greatest humility, I proudly accept this award to be enshrined as a member of the Philippine Sports Hall of Fame. On behalf of the many basketball fans who have been my inspiration on and off the court, thank you for the great honor,’’ said Jaworski.
Also inducted were Paulino Alcantara (football), swimmer Eric Buhain, track and field star Elma Muros and bowler Arianne Cerdeña, who won the gold medal in the 1988 Seoul Olympics when bowling was held as a demonstration sport.
Joining them were Dionisio Calvo (basketball and football coach), Gertrudes Lozada (swimming), Rogelio Onofre (athletics) and Olympic bronze medalist boxers Leopoldo Serrantes and Roel Velasco.