Flashback Amateur Player Feature # 7 - Pedrito 'Bong' Aninon

BONG ANINON
Despite his size, he could have been one of the most exciting figures in the PBA today had he accepted an offer to join Gilbey's Gin three years ago. But as Fate would have it, Pedrito "Bong" Aninon was stalled. He didn't turn pro and he suffered an injury that sidelined him for almost three years. And now, slowly but surely, he is getting back into the right groove, Bong Aninon is best remembered as the shooting star of Letran College circa '79. Actually, he was recruited by Letran from the Rizal Memorial College in Davao where he played junior ball. He completed four years with Letran and was a member of the 1979 champion team. From Letran onwards, he was always under coach Nemie Villegas. And he loved working with Villegas. After the NCAA, he played for Villar Records, 365 Club, LCAC, St. George Whisky, and Bicol River Basin. Of all these teams, it was only with St. George that he worked for another coach aside from Villegas. And this was Boy Afable. The 5-8 Aninon suffered a hamstring injury some three years ago. He stopped playing and worked for St. Dominic Trading Corporation, distributors of Goodrich Tires. Last year, while practicing with the Letran Alumni team, Bong Aninon got an offer he could not refuse. Nemie Villegas, who was then coaching Army in the PABL, asked him if he still wanted to play. And Bong accepted the offer. Slowly, Bong regained lost confidence. And now, he averages some 22 points per game for the Armymen. Bong, who turned 27 last March 5 is a father of two boys, Peter Alain and Fredrick Aaron. He is married to Carmencita Bautista, daughter of former Kawit mayor Florentino Bautista. "I think this is it. The second chance. Hindi ko na pakakawalan pa ito," said Aninon.