The league is celebrating its golden anniversary this year.
On Wednesday, April 2, the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) announced that it has completed the selection process for the 10 new additions to its greatest players list, which was last amended in 2015.
Leading the new inclusions are eight-time MVP winner June Mar Fajardo and Scottie Thompson, who joins eight icons from the early decades of the league, who are Nelson Asaytono, Jeffrey Cariaso, Bong Hawkins, Abe King, Danny Seigle, Manny Victorino, Yoyoy Villamin and the Arnie Tuadles.
The 10 new additions will be given honors during a special event next Friday, April 11 at Solaire Resort North in Quezon City.
“Dumaan ito sa malalim na proseso nang pagpili, and the PBA would like to thank the members of the Selection Committee for the effort they rendered,” said PBA commissioner Willie Marcial who described the group’s role to have been tedious.
“For the players eventually selected to be included in the honor roll, congratulations, and we salute you for your great contribution to the league,” he added.
Part of the committee are former PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios, Ramon Fernandez, Atoy Co, Allan Caidic, Dante Silverio, Quinito Henson, Andy Jao, Al Mendoza, Ding Marcelo and Nelson Beltran.
Prior to this year, the PBA first created its greatest players list for its 25th anniversary in 2000, which was later updated to 40 in 2015.
The first batch is composed of Johnny Abarrientos, Bogs Adornado, Ato Agustin, Francis Arnaiz, Ricardo Brown, Allan Caidic, Hector Calma, Atoy Co, Philip Cezar, and Jerry Codinera.
Kenneth Duremdes, Bernie Fabiosa, Ramon Fernandez, Danny Florencio, Abet Guidaben, Freddie Hubalde, Robert Jaworski, and Jojo Lastimosa are also in the list.
Lim Eng Beng, Samboy Lim, Ronnie Magsanoc, Vergel Meneses, Manny Paner, Alvin Patrimonio and Benjie Paras completed the first 25.
The next 15 to be added were Danny Ildefonso, Willie Miller, James Yap, Asi Taulava, Eric Menk, Kelly Williams, Jayjay Helterbrand, Jimmy Alapag, Mark Caguioa, Arwind Santos, Jayson Castro, Marc Pingris, Kerby Raymundo, Chito Loyzaga and Marlou Aquino.