JEFF Cariaso felt honored to be included in the PBA 50 Greatest Players list, more so being in the same batch as fellow Alaska teammate Bong Hawkins.
READ: Asaytono, King, Tuadles part of PBA 50 Greatest Players at last
The two members of the Milkmen's 1996 Grand Slam team were recognized as part of the 10 additions to the list that will complete the league’s 50 Greatest Players of all time in celebration of the its golden anniversary.
“What an honor to be able to join Johnny [Abarrientos] and Jojo [Lastimosa] on the PBA 50 Greatest List. What makes it even more special is the fact that I’m on the same list and was voted and nominated together this year with Bong Hawkins,” said Cariaso on the morning after the formal announcement Wednesday night.
Together with Cariaso and Hawkins on the list are Nelson Asaytono, Danny Seigle, Abe King, Arnie Tuadles, Manny Victorino, Yoyoy Villamin, and MVPs and active players June Mar Fajardo and Scottie Thompson.
Cariaso and Hawkins were one of two pairs of teammates voted together, just like King and Tuadles, who both played for Toyota.
'The Jet's' destination: immortality
Now the coach of Blackwater, the 52-year-old Cariaso considered the honor as the cherry on top of an illustrious career from 1995 to 2010 and counted eight championships, including a memorable Grand Slam 29 years ago.
“This is really a culminating award for players to be given this recognition. It’s a blessing. It means a lot to me,” he said.
A product of Sonoma State, Cariaso is soft-spoken and mild-mannered, but was tenacious and intense on the court during his stint with Alaska, Mobiline (now TNT), Tanduay, and Coca-Cola.
He was the 1995 Rookie of the Year when the Miklmen won the 1995 Commissioner’s Cup, a great addition and complement to the team’s famed Big Three of Abarrientos, Lastimosa, and Hawkins.
As he spread his wings, he was named Best Player of the Conference, Finals MVP, Mythical First Team Member (4x), Second Mythical Team selection, member of All-Defensive Team (4x), and All-Star (10x).
His No. 22 was just one of seven jerseys retired by Alaska (and former team Coca-Cola) along with Abarrientos, Hawkins, Lastimosa, import Sean Chambers, Sonny Thoss, and former three-time MVP Bogs Adornado.
Now, he’s on the same level as them as part of the Greatest Players.
“It’s truly special to be given this honor and be with my fellow Alaska players and teammates who were my veterans during that Grand Slam year,” Cariaso added.
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