THE PBA has seen a lot of amazing shots over the years that are still etched in the minds of fans – whether it’s a dunk, an acrobatic shot, or a buzzer-beating three-pointer.
One shot, however, that was rarely recalled was the first basket made in the PBA by Gregorio ‘Joy’ Dionisio on April 9, 1975.
Playing for the Concepcion Carrier, Dionisio scored the maiden basket when the PBA opened after a couple of disgruntled team owners broke away from the Micaa, then the premier basketball league in the country but under an amateur set-up.
READ: What fate awaits Ginebra in first final without 'Playoff LA'
Despite the fact that Dionisio made the feat, there was little description about how the former Adamson standout, who had an eight-year career in the PBA including a stop with Crispa, made the shot.
By popular accounts, Dionisio’s historical shot was reportedly a lay-up 48 years ago.
Of course, the fact that got the most attention was Mariwasa-Noritake winning the first-ever PBA game when they beat Concepcion-Carrier, 101-98, with Cisco Oliver delivering 48 points.
Toyota defeated U-Tex, 105-101, in the second game of the doubleheader behind 18,000 fans at the Araneta Coliseum.
But it was Dionisio who started things off in the PBA.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
