PBA Legends still fan faves

They’ve been long retired from playing in the PBA but 10 Legends re-emerged to suit up in an exhibition game that was the highlight of the nine-event Watsons Olympics at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex last Wednesday. Together, the 10 stars of yesteryear combined to play on 35 PBA championship teams.

The Legends were four-time MVP Alvin (Captain Lionheart) Patrimonio, 57, Jerry (The Defense Minister) Codiñera, 57, Ronnie (Point Laureate) Magsanoc, 58, movie heartthrob Jayvee Gayoso, 58, EJ (Gentle Giant) Feihl, 54, Vince (The Prince) Hizon, 53, Marlou (The Skyscraper) Aquino, 52, Rodney (The Slasher) Santos, 51, John (Tisoy) Ferriols, 50 and Gherome Ejercito, 47. They went up against the Watsons All-Stars made up of players from the four teams that competed for the Olympic basketball title.

The game was half-serious, half-fun. Watsons chief operating officer Jeff Go made a cameo appearance with the Blue team and scored a layup. Twin towers Aquino and Feihl lorded it over both boards, grabbing rebounds without jumping. After hauling down an offensive board, Feihl gave back possession and assisted on a basket for the other side to the delight of the fans. The game was played over 10-minute quarters of running time except in the last five minutes of the fourth period.

Hizon set the stage at the start and was all business. He scored 19 points, spiked by five triples, in the first quarter which the Legends took, 29-14. The Legends stretched the lead to 27 at the half, 57-30, then to 29 at the end of the third frame, 84-55, before closing it out at 103-74. Hizon finished with 24 points. Santos and Gayoso fired 16 each. Aquino delivered 12 and Ferriols, 11. Magsanoc and Codiñera tallied eight apiece. Ejercito had six, Patrimonio two and Feihl sacrificed his offense by pitching outlets without leaving the other side of the court.

The Legends gave the fans and their opponents a treat. They showed flashes of how they dominated the PBA back in the day. Patrimonio was easily the most popular Legend as fans crowded him for selfies even during the warm-ups. The Captain obliged and the other Legends left their autographs on the shirts of the Watsons All-Stars as a remembrance.

Leo Martinez led the Watsons All-Stars with 10 points. Amador Regidor and Razzel Raz hit eight each. In the Watsons basketball tournament, Red defeated Yellow, 47-38, while Blue beat Green, 41-33, in the semifinals. In the final, Blue torched Red, 65-40.

Over 600 employees participated in the revival of the Watsons Olympics after 12 years. The opening ceremonies featured a parade of muses with Gerome Kaye Cangco for the Blue team, Nicole Angelo Cloma for the Green team, Klarizza Anne Rose Santillan for the Red team and Alyssa Danica Reyes for the Yellow team. Four-time Olympian Hidilyn Diaz delivered an inspirational message on video while two-time Olympian Eumir Marcial, PBA ironman LA Tenorio and volleyball star Vanie Gandler made personal appearances. Watsons managing director Danilo Chiong declared the games open. The other Watsons executives on hand were Go and vice president/head of People and Organizational Development Rizza Cantre. The events were basketball, volleyball, badminton, table tennis, chess, e-sports, pickleball, darts and palarong Pinoy (obstacle course, sack race, tug-of-war). The Red team won the overall championship and the P100,000 first prize.