PBA inducts sports greats to Hall of Fame

The Philippine Basketball Association last night inducted a dozen personalities to the first Hall of Fame, among them a coach, former commissioners, a broadcaster and a slew of players who, in one way or the other, had helped transform the league into what it is today.

Last but not the least called, former Senator Robert "Sonny" Jaworski, Sr. drew the loudest cheers as he received the Hall of Fame trophy and a golden ring from chairman Buddy Encarnado of Sta. Lucia Realty and board member Ely Capacio of Purefoods.

"Nagpapasalamat po ako sa lahat, sa fans na sumuporta dahil sila ang nagbigay ng inspirasyon, kulay, diwa at kahulugan sa akin, sa amin para ibigay ang aming kakayahan," said Jaworski, who was the only one of the 12 given the chance to deliver a speech.

Other Hall of Famers were fellow players Ramon "El Presidente" Fernandez, William "Bogs" Adornado, Francis Arnaiz, Philip "The Scholar" Cezar and Fortunato "Atoy" Co, coach Virgilio "Baby" Dalupan, founding commissioner Emerson Coseteng, former commissioners Leo Prieto and Rudy Salud, Crispa team manager and owner Danny Floro and broadcaster Joe Cantada.

The event was bankrolled by Touch Mobile, a Globe-owned company which is incidentally a corporate rival of Talk n Text. No representative from the Phone Pals attended the once-in-a-lifetime occasion.