PBA ‘old stars’ still a big hit | Bandera

PBA ‘old stars’ still a big hit

Lito Cinco |February 21,2019
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PBA ‘old stars’ still a big hit

Lito Cinco - February 21, 2019 - 06:58 PM

THE dreaded crossover dribble sometimes failed to cross over, the three-point attempts at times became air balls, point blank attempts would bounce off the rim, bounce passes sometimes missed their mark and crossing the line from offense to defense was an effort for these guys but still the big crowd of old and not so old enjoyed the spectacle.

After all, they were watching some of the biggest names in Philippine basketball who came out in full force for the Return of the Rivals double header at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last Sunday featuring Alaska against San Miguel Beer in Game 1 and Ginebra versus Purefoods in the main event of the legends classic.

This was a fund-raising affair of ex-PBA players playing under the PBA Legends for the benefit of the less fortunate players who failed to prepare for their post PBA days and ending up destitute for some. It was supported by UNTV which aired the games, but honestly, I watched both games in YouTube as I did not go to Araneta Coliseum.

I was not sure if PBA accredited media people would be allowed to enter for free so I did not take a chance much as I would have enjoyed interacting with these players, a lot of them I was able to interview and do features on in different sports magazines and newspapers I used to write for unlike now that I hardly know the players on a personal level.

But still, the players being all former professionals that they were and despite the tummies that have inflated with the years, showed glimpses of what they could still do or what they used to do.

The recently retired players like Paul Artadi, Jay-Jay Helterbrand, Anthony de la Cruz and John Ferriols and even Johnny Abarrientos and Bal David showed they can still run with the ball but unfortunately found themselves all alone at their side of the court as the others were still huffing and puffing on their way to their spots.

Abarrientos, Artadi and David were the more conditioned ones and the crowd was appreciative of what they were doing for their respective teams. The rest, I’m sure fans were happy just to see them in a basketball jersey.

Also, I missed the power moves of the likes of Noli Locsin, Nelson Asaytono, Benjie Paras, Alvin Patrimonio and Jerry Codiñera. Well the moves were there but the power has left the building although you have to give them an “A” for trying to score inside the paint.

I was happy to see Bong Alvarez, who suited up for the Beermen instead of his original PBA team Alaska and there was an instance he showed his patented slashing drive to the basket and scored.

But the one who stole the show was Allan Caidic, the undisputed 3-point king of the PBA who received the Best Player award as he led San Miguel with 26 points, 16 of them in the deciding quarter in the team’s 96-83 victory.

In the other game, Helterbrand teamed up well with Vince Hizon for a 97-89 win by Ginebra over Purefoods.

The event also had interesting sidelights like the father and son tandems with Danny Ildefonso and Kenneth Duremdes joining their sons in a shooting challenge, and in a few years from now, these young players will be taking their rightful places on the PBA court, hopefully.

I believe there will be a second round with the teams switching opponents, at least I hope it happens and I would exert more efforts definitely to be there and renew friendships with a lot of these players, particularly the Alaska team of the 1990s where I did a bit of PR work for then team manager Joaqui Trillo and whose team owner, Fred Uytengsu, is a person I hold in high respect.

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I am sure the PBA fans of yesteryears will come again in droves to watch and enjoy their “old” cage heroes.

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