PBA begins daunting task of naming 10 to ‘Greatest’ list

June Mar Fajardo is the easiest name to include in the list of PBA’s Greatest. The next nine is expected to be the subject of intense debate. —MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

The PBA has begun plotting for the celebration of its 50th founding anniversary which takes place April 9 next year.

Among the many activities lined up, according to commissioner Willie Marcial, is a weeklong party and a national caravan that will show the humble beginnings of Asia’s pioneering pro league.

But there’s no denying that one of the bigger draws—and one that will be hotly debated—will be the new set of players to be enshrined into the league’s “Greatest” list.

Marcial said that deputy Eric Castro will be leading the selection committee that will select the 10 players who are going to be added to the original 40 named a decade ago.

“We’re still finalizing the selection team, but I will head it,” Castro told the Inquirer in a recent interview. “We’re still in the process of double-checking who are qualified to join the committee.”

So much discussion

The last addition to the PBA’s list of luminaries back in 2015 has generated so much discussion which has been going on to this day.

Former players, purists and casual fans believe that Nelson Asaytono, a seven-time champion, 10-time All-Star, and once the league’s scoring champion should’ve made the last batch of enshrined players.

Also long viewed as big snubs are Abe King, Bong Hawkins, Arnie Tuadles, Yoyoy Villamin and Danny Seigle.

Bogs Adornado felt Estoy Estrada was missed, while Hector Calma believes Olsen Racela deserves to be on the list.

The PBA will have a chance to make up for what may have been some perplexing picks when it chooses its new 10 this season, and Castro hopes to do just that by poring over names per decade.

“For example: The 1990s to 2000s—we’ll first focus on that era. I feel that’s the way it should’ve been before,” he said. “We’ll have a bracketing of years so we can’t miss anybody.”

The legendary Robert Jaworski was a member of the last selection team which also featured former senator and pro Freddie Webb, chairman Patrick Gregorio and his vice Robert Non, and the late Barry Bascua who was the PBA Press Corps president at that time. Rounding out the panel were Joaquin Henson and Rep. Elpidio Barzaga who chaired the Congress’ games and amusement committee.

June Mar Fajardo, who is on pace to win his league record eighth straight Most Valuable Player award in Sunday’s Leo Awards, is a prime candidate to lead the new set of players that will join the original 40.