Fernandez, Jawo head Hall of Fame honorees

Pillars of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) responsible for laying out the solid foundation to which the league stands today are among the initial batch of inductees to be enshrined in the first ever PBA Hall of Fame.

Cage greats Robert Jaworski, Ramon Fernandez, Atoy Co, Philip Cezar, William Adornado and Francis Arnaiz lead the short but elite list of honorees composed of 12 fine gentlemen whom two nomination committees handpicked following a thorough selection and deliberation.

Legendary coach Virgilio Dalupan, founding league officials Leo Prieto, Emerson Coseteng and Rudy Salud as well as the late team manager Danny Floro and popular broadcaster Joe Cantada join the six former star players who will be feted in a grand celebration night on May 28 at the Araneta Coliseum as part of the league’s 30th year anniversary festivities.

"It is a pleasure and honor for me to announce the members of the first ever PBA Hall of Fame, men who made significant contributions to the success of our league," said PBA commissioner Noli Eala.

All 12 easily stood out from an initial list of 69 individuals drawn and recommended by a panel of selection committee, before getting the nod of the honors committee composed of PBA chairman Buddy Encarnado, vice chairman Ely Capacio, league governors Bobby Kanapi and Joaqui Trillo, former commissioner Jun Bernardino, Bobong Velez, Dick Ildefonso, Bulletin sports editor Ding Marcelo, Malaya sports editor Jimmy Cantor and former Olympian Freddie Webb.