Readers speak out on All-Time All-Star wars

This writer was flooded (and floored) with reactions to our piece on the article coming out in the July issue of Manual magazine on who would win a match between PBA All-Stars of 1985 to 2005 and 1996 to 2006. The response was immediate, determined, and very knowledgeable. Some readers even suggested a mythical tournament, reaching farther back in time to include the 1975 to 1984 generation. Yet others even wanted to add coaches and imports, and produce a video game.

Here are some excerpts.

Roderick Dipasupil ([email protected]), an office worker from Lucena, chimed in with a rather lengthy analysis:

"I noticed that Jerry Codiñera and Marlou Aquino, two of the best "true" tall guys that gangled in the PBA (after Mon Fernandez, Abet Guidaben and maybe Manny Victorino), were overlooked in selecting the 1985-1995 team. As for the 1996-2006 squad, conspicuously absent is Kerby Raymundo.

"How about giving the quintets their coaches? The "dream" game is not complete without two opposing basketball gurus hollering instructions from the opposite sides. I’d like to pick Tim Cone for the "senior" team and current national team coach Chot Reyes to guide the "juniors". Honestly, I’m tempted to tap Ron Jacobs but he did not stay in the league long enough to deserve the slot.

"The ’96-2006 team have distinct size advantage, stronger, and more scientific, but they are (pardon me) lacking the intensity their "senior" counterparts have. For me they are more cautious, afraid to lose their limbs and their precious careers. The "seniors" are of course more experienced, mature, possess more hard court savvy and harder workers. And yes, they are more accurate in outside shooting, an integral part in the game, especially if you are playing against much taller opponents.

The balance of talents on both teams is equal (supposing the legends would play in their prime) in terms of quickness, ability to score, defend and other aspects of the game. Telling who would win supposing this "hypothetical" match happen, is easier said than done. But in every game, there should be only one winner, and I’m sure the "senior" team will prevail in the end. Thank you for opening your inbox for me, Bill."

Gemmy Lontoc ([email protected]) offers a dissenting opinion, though.

"In my view, I believe the 1996-2006 team will beat the 1985-1995 team. The difference lies in the big men. The 1996-2006 team has the towering Taulava and Menk going up against the smaller Paras and Patrimonio. Danny Seigle would be too much of a load to handle for Allan Caidic due to his size. Even the players off the bench from the 1996-2006 team are bigger in every match-up. Still, it is interesting to note that even if the 1996-2006 team looks stronger on paper, greatness is still measured by championships. The 1985-1995 team has a lot of these. Alas, the basketball is indeed round."

Earl Sebastian ([email protected]) echoes the sentiment of eighty percent of those who wrote in, believing in the solid fundamentals and teamwork of players from times gone by. Interestingly enough, he looks to the future, too.

"I think that the 1985-1995 All-Stars will win since they have Allan Caidic, Mon Fernandez, Benjie Paras and Alvin Patrimonio who have a combined 11 MVP trophies. Caidic has 1, Paras has 2, Patrimonio and Fernandez both have 4. I think that a lot of players with excellent credentials were not included. Players like Dennis Espino, Jerry Codiñera, Jeffrey Cariaso, Jimmy Alapag, Mark Caguoia, Jayjay Helterbrand, Willie Miller and Nelson Asaytono were not in the list. There are chances that the 1985-1995 All-Stars will win because they have good slashers, outside shooters and reliable post players. But still, it would be a good match since 1995-2005 All-Stars are bannered by the deadly trio of Danny Seigle, Eric Menk and Taulava and a pair of smart point guards, Abarrientos and Racela. I wonder if time comes, will there be a match pitting the Pure Pinoys vs Filipino-Foreigners (the so-called Fil-Ams). Someday, it will be exciting to watch the 2006-2016 All-Stars w ith upcoming players like Arwind Santos, LA Tenorio in the list."

Joseph Carleone ([email protected]) adds more intangibles to the equation.

"I think that the team from 1986-1995 would beat the 1996-2006 squad. The 1996-2006 squad boasts of their big men but the ’86-’95 team will beat them by running the floor and scoring in transition. My favorite player who is an alumnus of Letran is Samboy Lim, he could barge in to the youngsters defense by just skywalking thru all of them. A kick out pass to his best friend The Triggerman in rainbow country is also an option if ever he is clobbered inside. El Presidente could have a classic duel with Erik Menk at the post."

"I agree with what Benjie Paras said, it would be a competitive game but in the end the oldies will still rule. Strength is not enough to win games, the oldies team have a lot of heart and composure down the stretch to deliver the ‘W’.

"The lack of intensity and willingness to dive or die for the ball is the characteristic of the ’96-’06 team, unlike the oldies team who was in their prime in the late ‘80’s and early 90’s the 96-06 team are more careful in playing and are not playing the same intensity as the oldies. Maybe this is also the reason why the PBA fans are not that interested with the games today."

From the Queen City of the South, colleague Gabby Malagar ([email protected]) of The Freeman Daily, adds his own views:

"This team maybe old but the so-called "experience is the best teacher", will come in during this game and if there is war, most likely the one who hit more opponents are the WAR veterans. Just imagine a team with 11 MVPs...this team has also three Rookies of the Year – Benjie Paras, Jojo Lastimosa and Jun Limpot. If Hector Calma still can direct the play and Samboy Lim will still fly high, the All-Time heroes will be great. Fernandez has still a sharp elbow, Patrimonio is still powerful while Caidic, Limpot and Lastimosa have still their shooting touches from the field."

Meanwhile, to cap this readers’ section, Ujin Macayan ([email protected]) quips that the seniors are "multi-titled", and that will make the difference.

"I bet the pioneers (85-95 all-stars) will win that match. They have a Triggerman, a Skywalker, a Tower of Power and a Captain! Even more, they have a Director to call the shots! The only way the new breed can stand a chance is to include some "Spark" on their line-up!

We’ll be adding feedback from other readers in an upcoming piece. Meanwhile, what do you think? Drop us a line at [email protected].

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Catch tomorrow’s episode of The Basketball Show at 2 p.m. over RPN 9.