PBA’s 50th Anniversary offering teeming with nostalgia

THE Philippine Basketball Association’s (PBA) Philippine Cup offering on its 50th Anniversary bash on Wednesday was teeming with nostalgia.

San Miguel Beer put on the classic white top with red trunks uniforms worn by the likes of the late Yoyong Martirez in the early 80s PBA. The Beermen’s rival, Meralco, also went “retro,” using the orange jerseys Robert Jaworski and Company donned during the club’s MICAA days in the 70s.

Jimmy Noblezada, the original “Ironman” who saw action in the very first PBA game half a century ago, intensified the “throwback” atmosphere at the historic Rizal Memorial Coliseum (RMC) with his presence, even jokingly banging his body with SMB’s June Mar Fajardo and Meralco’s Raymond Almazan before the tipoff of the retro game.

Elmer Cahabug, one of the league’s greatest shooters, joined Mr. Noblezada and thousands of fans wearing “PBA 50” shirts in the celebration.

For San Miguel coach Leo Austria, there’s an extra nostalgic feeling in leading his team at the RMC.

“When I got here, I have goosebumps reminiscing. Before this game, I really wanted to win because there’s something special in this place,” he added.

And thanks to the Beermen’s vengeful 110-98 romp over Season 48 All-Filipino finals tormentor Meralco in this anniversary day tussle, Mr. Austria, the 1985 PBA Rookie of the Year, had one more happy experience at the RMC to cherish. — Olmin Leyba