PBA: Nelson Asaytono moves past snub, happy to be among 50 best

PBA legend Nelson “The Bull” Asaytono, now part of the league’s greatest list, during the 50th anniversary gala night. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRERnet

MANILA, Philippines—PBA legend Nelson Asaytono was once left out of the league’s list of Greatest Players.

Now, in the list’s long-awaited expansion to 50, Asaytono finally takes his rightful place among PBA’s all-time greats—joining the likes of Abe King, Yoyoy Villamin, and Bong Hawkins, among others.

READ: Nelson Asaytono, high-profile snubs make PBA Greatest list

For years, fans—and perhaps even Asaytono himself—wondered why the hard-charging forward wasn’t part of the first 40 names penned as the greatest players to ever play in the league.

Asaytono, though, is just glad he’s finally included after the initial snub.

“The Bull” Nelson Asaytono is also here tonight. #PBA50 | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/AZKsR69Kxu

— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) April 11, 2025

“I feel okay and I’m happy. Finally, we’re included,” said Asaytono at Solaire North on Friday night. “As a professional PBA player, I accept whatever happened in the past but now, we’re okay and we’re happy.”

Asaytono became the benchmark of a great power forward in the late 1980s to early 90s when he donned the Purefoods and the San Miguel Beer jerseys.

READ: PBA honors legends, welcomes new greats at golden gala

The player best known as “The Bull” won seven titles in his career in the PBA. He also had 10 All-Star appearances and two Best Player of the Conference awards.

Despite his colorful 17-year career in the PBA, though, he never won an MVP award, which played a big part in being part of the PBA’s golden list.

PBA legends Nelson Asaytono, Alvin Patrimonio and Bong Hawkins during the gala for the league’s 50th anniversary. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

But Asaytono was  finally credited for his pioneering efforts in the league and Danny Seigle, a newcomer in the Greatest Players list himself, couldn’t be happier.

“He was my dad’s favorite player and my other brother’s favorite too,” said Seigle, who was also in attendance in Quezon City.

“He’s an incredible player. I only got to play with him for one conference but he’s our idol,” he added.