The PBA Gala Night: A nostalgic trek of music, camaraderie and memories

JB Yango had no plans to miss this major event. Coming all the way from Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija, he and his daughter drove more than 165 kilometers for more than 3 hours going to the Meralco Theater to become one of the early birds among the celebrated PBA alumni who attended the PBA 50^th anniversary gala night.  

Yango, 67, was a fan favorite, particularly among loyal YCO/Tanduay fans back in the 80’s. It was in the 1986 PBA All Filipino Conference when he practically attained superstardom, powering the Rhum Makers to the championship against corporate rival, Ginebra San Miguel. In Game 2 of that memorable series, Yango exploded for 40 points as he ran rings around a multitude of defenders like Chito Loyzaga, Dondon Ampalayo and Terry Saldaña, to give Tanduay a 118-115 victory over the Gins in overtime. While there was no official PBA Finals Most Valuable Player that time, Yango was the recipient of an unofficial award from SCOOP, an organization made up of local sports scribes.

Yango was already with PBA pioneer, Alfonso “Boy” Mora, a one-time PBA champion for U/Tex, and one of the most prolific scorers in the 70’s. Mora, who once scored 119 points in the Interclub upon returning to the amateur ranks, looked savvy in his pin-striped black shirt and remained articulate as ever. Also among the early birds were another Tanduay stalwart, Jimmy Manansala, the 1978 Rookie of the Year and a 4x champion, slotman Nani Demegillo, who won a championship with Presto in 1990, 2x champion Woodrow Balani, Tanduay Rhum Masters big Oliver Agapito, and the PBA 50 Greatest Players recent inductee, Manny Victorino. 

Victorino was in high spirits, greeting everyone while soaking in the moment. He has every reason to be proud – his inclusion in the 50 Greatest Players list casts him alongside a distinguished group of PBA superstars. He couldn’t help as well gush that early birds Manansala, Balani and Demegillo all played for the Gokongwei franchise, where Victorino became one of the league’s three best centers. That’s why when the next guest, Rafael “Cho” Sison, the 1981 Rookie of the Year, came in a few minutes after, chalk up one more in the Great Taste / Presto cast of early comers. 

More stars eventually arrived – Sonny Cabatu, Franz Pumaren, Tonichi Yturri, Biboy Ravanes, Willie Generalao, Amang Ladores, Alex Marquez, Aldo Perez, Denis Abbatuan, Boy Cabahug, Gerry Esplana, Jolly Escobar, Django Arce and Bennett Palad. Fortunately, Charlie Cuna and this writer host a weekly sports podcast called “An Eternity of Basketball,” (Saturday at 10AM) featuring past PBA personalities from the 70’s to the 90’s. And most of the PBA alumni who arrived early were former guests of the show, making the two of us serve as pseudo ushers, or part of the welcome committee. 

The PBA legends were then ushered into an anteroom just outside the theater for more intimate conversations with one another. There were cocktail foods and drinks available, but everyone was simply enjoying the time reacquainting themselves with one another. The food can wait!

There was an opportunity to take photos with the players. The players were asked to be photographed based on their respective teams. Tanduay had Manansala, Abbatuan, Yango, Marquez and Generalao; Shell boasted of the likes of Ravanes, Escobar, Perez, Abbatuan, Esplana and Al Solis; Great Taste had Victorino, Manansala, Balani, Sison, Demegillo, Cabatu, Esplana and Generalao; U/Tex brought in Mora, Romeo Frank, Django Arce and Danny Basilan; Ginebra featured Bennett Palad, Victorino, Yturri, Sunday Salvacion and Amang Ladores while Alaska ushered in Jojo Lastimosa, Bong Hawkins, Jeffrey Cariaso and former PSC Chairman, Dicky Bachmann.

Of course, there were other PBA personalities who arrived later – the likes of Benjie Paras, Alvin Patrimonio, Ronnie Magsanoc, Jerry Codiñera, Hector Calma, Danny Ildefonso, Gee Abanilla, Alvin Teng, Bong Ravena, Mulong Orillosa, Marlou Aquino, Kerby Raymundo, Nandy Garcia, Felix Flores, Wynne Arboleda, Nilo Cruz, Joey Guanio, Adonis Tierra, Leo Austria, Pedro Alfaro, and managers / coaches like Buddy Encarnado, Charlie Favis, Mon Celis, and Boysie Zamar. Most of them arrived in time for the mini-concert organized by the PBA.

What's unusual though, especially that this was the 50^th anniversary of the league, was the absence of key personalities from the Crispa Redmanizers and the Toyota Tamaraws. Only 1979 MVP Atoy Co was around, and was recognized by practically everyone in the building. Co, who was accompanied by his wife, Monette, proved why he remains to be one of the most popular PBA players ever. This writer personally escorted Co and Monette to their front row seats at the theater, but it took more than 30 minutes to get there as he was greeted by everyone along the way. 

Other than Co, though, no player from the league’s (and perhaps, Philippine basketball as a whole) greatest basketball rivalry ever was present. Commissioner Willie Marcial, who was on top of the entire proceedings, once expressed his gratitude to the two teams and recognized the rivalry not just as the reason why the PBA not only survived its first decade, but were actually responsible for the growth. Not having them around somehow took the luster out of a glittering night of basketball superstars that enveloped the venue.

Speaking of stars, no PBA program would be complete without a cast of musical celebrities to spice the event. True enough, Gary Valenciano brought the house down as he kicked off the program, performing four of his greatest hits – “Shout For Joy,” “The Warrior is a Child,” “Hataw Na,” and the immortal “Di Bale Na Lang,” arguably Valenciano’s most popular track. Martin Nievera also performed, showcasing his energy with tracks like “More Today Than Yesterday,” “You Are My Song,” (in a duet with Bituin Escalante), “Pain,” and a medley of his biggest hits  Nievera, though, knew who his audience was and performed what he described as his most requested song ever, “Be My Lady.” Nievera invited Co to join him in the singing of this ditty originally performed by Pedrito Montaire as a finalist in the 1983 Metropop. Co, who also dabbled in showbusiness after his celebrated basketball career, gamely sang along with Nievera.

The program was capped by Mitoy and the Draybers, performing tracks from Starship and Survivor. By then, most of the players stayed at the anteroom, enjoying an overflow of wine and beer. Paras and Esplana led the banter and story-teling, with Orillosa normally at the receiving end of Paras’ constant ribbings. The players also serenaded Paras at least three times as the Tower of Power recently celebrated his birthday two days before. 

The program was hosted by no less than Sev Sarmenta, alongside Quinito Henson, Erika Padilla and Rizza Diaz. The PBA Hall of Fame inductees were called out - and we could only hope that the league would bring in more awardees more frequently.

Also featured were the 50 Greatest PBA players. Only 14 from the list were able to attend - Calma, Co, Codiñera, Lastimosa, Magsanoc, Patrimonio, Paras, Aquino, Ildefonso, Raymundo, Kelly Williams, Cariaso, Hawkins, and Victorino. Several others like Ramon Fernandez, Freddie Hubalde, Vergel Meneses, Scottie Thompson, Junemar Fajardo, Arwind Santos, Jayson Castro, Johnny Abarrientos, Ato Agustin and Allan Caidic  opted to join the opening night of the league's 50th season at the historic Araneta Coliseum.

Several stories were shared, most of these off the record, capping off a night many of these legends would never forget.