FROM the greatest snubs, to the Greatest List.
Bull-strong Nelson Asaytono and old hands Abe King and the late Arniel Tuadles finally made it as part of the PBA Greatest Players list announced by the league on Wednesday, or a week before it celebrates its golden anniversary.
READ Will Asaytono, fellow 'snubs' finally make PBA Greatest?
Twice denied in the past, Asaytono, King, and Tuadles lead the latest batch of 10 players added to the list of the 50 Greatest Players of all time that serves as one of the highlights of the PBA’s 50th anniversary celebration on April 9.
Joining the three in the elite group are Jeff Casiaso, Bong Hawkins, June Mar Fajardo, Danny Seigle, Scottie Thompson, Manny Victorino, and Elpidio 'Yoyoy' Villamin. League MVPs Fajardo and Thompson are the only active players on the list.
The 10 players will be formally recognized in a formal ceremony on April 11 at the Solaire Resort North.
"Yung pinipili natin yung nag-display ng exceptional skills sa PBA playing career nila. Yung among others, may impact sa liga at sa team. In other words, hindi yung magaling ang nilaro sa college, but yung magaling ang nilaro sa PBA. Yun ang tinitimbang natin," said former Commissioner Sonny Barrios, who chaired the selection committee, in explaining the parameters for coming up with the choices of the 10 players.
Joining Barrios in the selection panel were PBA legends Ramon Fernandez, Atoy Co, and Allan Caidic, champion coach Dante Silverio, sports editors Ding Marcelo, Al S. Mendoza, and Nelson Beltran, along with broadcast panel Andy Jao and Quinito Henson.
25 Greatest Players (2000)
Johnny Abarrientos, Bogs Adornado, Ato Agustin, Francis Arnaiz, Ricardo Brown, Allan Caidic, Hector Calma, Philip Cezar, Atoy Co, Jerry Codinera, Kenneth Duremdes, Bernie Fabiosa, Ramon Fernandez, Danny Florencio Alberto Guidaben, Freddie Hubalde, Robert Jaworski, Joja Lastimosa, Lim Eng Beng, Samboy Lim, Ronnie Magsanoc, Vergel Meneses, Manny Paner, Alvin Patrimonio, Benjie Paras.
40 Greatest Players (2015)
(15 were added to the 25 Greatest Players list)
Jimmy Alapag, Marlou Aquino, Mark Caguioa, Jayson Castro, Danny Ildefonso, Jayjay Helterbrand, Chito Loyzaga, Eric Menk, Willie Miller, Mark Pingris, Kerby Raymundo, Arwind Santos, Asi Taulava, Kelly Williams, James Yap.
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