After Jawo and Before Caguioa, there was Bal

Jawo entrusted Ginebra
to The Flash

Props to the San Miguel Corporation, the Philippine Basketball Association and everyone who was involved in this evening's successful and nostalgic tribute/ retirement ceremonies for the fabled "Living Legend" Robert Jaworski, Sr. But if there was one thing that stood out among the Jawo-related hoopla, it was the crowd's reception to another guy who doesn't even enjoy a quarter of his old mentor's accolades.

That guy is the 5"9, University of Santo Tomas alumnus, Bal "The Flash" David known best for steering Jaworski's Ginebra/ Gordon's Gin squad in the late 90s that peaked in 1997 by winning the Governor's Cup title. It was an insult when someone (now traded) wore the Number 1 jersey a few years back. And even Mike Cortez (who sported the number before going back to his standard 11) wasn't getting that much love from old school fans for it. To many, Ginebra, and the jersey number 1 belongs to just one guy much like Number 7 is Jaworski's and his alone.