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| G.O.A.T. |
In celebration of the widely-recognized, Greatest of All
Time, Michael Jordan’s 49th birthday (though KKS will always be quick to give an
appreciative nod to Mr. Bill Russel and his untouchable 11 NBA World
Championships), here’s this writer’s take on the Top Ten guys who were arguably
the closest we’ve had to our own version of the Global Icon.
10. Gary David (Powerade Tigers)
One of today’s most feared and respected gunners, David
often finds himself in the Jordan role of lead arsenal. Winning games mostly on
sheer Jordanesque will in an un-Jordan-like come-from-behind fashion (don’t
really recall a year in those 6 rings campaign wherein MJ was a clear cut
underdog), David is a tribute to the “young” MJ who was dropping 30 and 40 point
games but couldn’t break even owing to a so-so roster and subpar coaching
(sorry Doug Collins fans). Only setback why David isn’t higher on this list is
his age and ring count.
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| Limpot: The Real Deal |
9. Jun Limpot (Santa Lucia Realtors)
6”6, can post up, play PG, shoot from almost anywhere with
that sneer/ tongue-in-cheek (literally) look and jam on sleeping fools—yep, on
all fronts, Limpot is still the closest Filipino to the Michael Jordan protoype
to date. During his heyday with the Realtors, there was no one who could even
touch Limpot—an oddity at power forward and center before being paired with
Dennis Espino. Why he never won a PBA championship until he was reduced to a
bit player in his retirement years was a combination of misfortune, bad
coaching and management decisions and also, the league as a whole and fans in
general not knowing what to do with a talent like his. Much like how the NBA
and its fans “hated” on Dirk Nowitzki before they finally figured out his
greatness and appreciated him more with a title.
8. Ato Agustin (San Miguel Beermen) + 7. Samboy Lim (San
Miguel Beermen)
This writer is open to any write-ups (by way of comments)
regarding these two gentlemen since I wasn't basketball-aware when they hit their collective primes (I was FIVE so give me a break). What Samboy Lim in high-flying wizardry, Ato
Agustin replaced with an all around offensive brilliance once Lim was sidelined
with injuries during their Grand Slam years. It’s a toss up really between both
Hall of Famers, but having played in a superstar studded team like the Beermen
back in the late 80s and early 90s and having a guy like Norman Black as import
and/or coach, pretty much hurts any MJ-hopeful to rank any higher than where
they are now.
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| Ang natatanging player na marunongmagtimpla ng kape sa ere |
6. Vergel Meneses (Sunkist)
The Aerial Voyager. The true “Man with a Million Moves” even
before Mico Halili wrongfully tagged 2x MVP James Yap as such. When the
Skywalker Samboy Lim would soar, Meneses would take off, lovingly tuck the ball
by his hip, smile at the red shirt wearing dude four rows up Upper Box B, wink
at photographers, think what he had for lunch then contemplate what he’ll have
for dinner before putting the ball back up reverse lay-up style. Reminiscent of
the “showman” MJ, there was nothing Meneses couldn’t do with the ball that MJ
could. The defense was never
always there for Meneses, and had he focused on that end some more, he’d
undoubtedly go down higher in the minds of many.
To be continued >>>
Jordan is such a complete player that I can't point at one PBA player as My 'PBA Jordan' when I was growing up. It would have to be a combination of several PBA greats such as:
ReplyDeleteBong Alvarez/Johnny A/Kenneth Duremdes/Benjie Paras/Allan Caidic and Vergel Meneses.
si vergel meneses ang michael jordan ng kabataan ko!
ReplyDeletepag lumipad na si Vergel Meneses parang nagkakape sa ere. nakatiklop yun mga binti. :D kulang na lang magdiquatro :D
ReplyDeleteIf I recall correctly, Gary David once played with both Ranidel De Ocampo and Arwind Santos. So he HAS played for a strong team, maybe just not well coached.
ReplyDelete