THE SEVENTIES # 721: FRANCIS ARNAIZ, WILLIAM (BOGS) ADORNADO, RAMON (TITO) FERNANDEZ, ROGELIO (BONG) MELENCIO AND ROSALIO (YOYONG) MARTIREZ IN "BASKETBALL STARS" (1974)

"Basketball Stars" (1974)

HPS Film Productions

Release Date September 1, 1974

Story Isagani Gregorio

Cinematography Mike Accion

Music Pablo Vergara

Screenplay and Direction Abraham Cruz Gregorio

Cast Francis Arnaiz, William Adornado, Ramon Fernandez, Rogelio Melencio and Rosalio Martirez/ Also Starring Rosanna Ortiz, Tina Revilla, Leila Hermosa, Marilou Destreza and Aline Samson/ Guests- Jimmy Mariano, Joy Cleofas, Manny Paner, Dave Regullano, Abet Guidaben, Tito Eduque, Juan Cutillas

ACTORS TURN BASKETBALL STARS FOR MAGGIE DE LA RIVA'S CAUSE/ AUGUST 19, 1967

ACTORS TURN BASKETBALL STARS FOR MAGGIE DE LA RIVA'S CAUSE

by Ethelwolda A. Ramos

Graphic Magazine/ 1967

It’s no hyperbole to say the basketball game participated in by almost all of the top actors in town for Maggie de la Riva's cause, was a smashing success. Fans, some coming from faraway provinces, milled around the Loyola Center compound as early as one pm.
At around 3:30, when the game was about to start, tickets were all sold out handing scalpers a holiday. Tickets worth P10 cost twice as much. Yet the fans did not complain!

SIDELIGHTS: The program began at exactly four pm. To start the ball rolling, so to speak, a musical extravaganza, featuring well-known entertainment personalities, was presented. The Hi-Jacks belted out more than three songs. Pablo Virtuoso wowed the audience with his versatility as a guitar player, Ric Arellano, aside from rendering a number, cracked some jokes, to everyone’s delight. But the entertainer who truly brought the house down was Eddie Mesa. Every song Eddie sang drew spirited shrieks from the audience. And the fans simply refused to let him go, not even after Eddie’s eight songs.

A flourish of trumpets heralded the entrance of both the Philippine Movies Star selection and the US Embassy quintet and the US Mariners. A pretty young Miss, whose name escapes as, unfortunately, served as the Americans’ muse. They also had four' pretty girls, clad in navy uniforms, cheering for them. Suffice it to say, their presence lent much color to the affair.
The local boys’ muse for the first team, was Josephine Estrada while Susan Roces was the second team’s. Maggie de la Riva, of course, was the cynosure of all eyes when she was presented to the audience. Joseph Estrada and Fernando Poe, Jr. escorted her to the microphone, where she delivered a much-applauded speech. Maggie has lost some pounds but she still looked pretty in her all-white ensemble. Conspicuous around her for the entire affair were her PC escorts.

As usual, before the program started, the Philippine National Anthem was played. And of course, the American Star Spangled Banner. Vic Pacia, incidentally, served as the emcee during the entire event. 

It was easy for the audience to identify their favorite stars from the numbers plastered all over the front and back of their uniforms. Robert Arevalo was no. 45; Ramil Rodriguez, 48; George Estregan, 50; Chiquito, 00; Victor Bravo, 42; Andy Poe, 54; Ray Marcos, 46; and Bebong Osorio, 55. These stars, incidentally, composed the first group. Composing the second group were Ronnie Poe, 44; Eddie Gutierrez, 58; Romano Castellvi, 54; Jun Aristorenas, 53; Jess Lapid, 49; Vic Vargas, 51; Tony Ferrer, 50; Joseph Estrada, 45; Paquito Diaz, 55; Zaldy Zshornack, 46; Willie Sotelo, 57; Romy Diaz, 56; Bob Soler, 52; and Romeo Vasquez, 47.

It was also easy to predict who among the movie players would score the most. After all, everyone knows who among the participants used to be basketball stars before they entered the movie field. As expected, therefore, Romy Diaz (formerly of the FEU Tamaraws and the Crispa Redmanizers), Willie Sotelo (San Beda Red Lions), Robert Arevalo (Ateneo Blue Eagles), Ramil Rodriguez (Letran), Zaldy Zshornack (MCU), Paquito Diaz (FEU), and Andy Poe and Bob Soler (both of Jose Rizal College) made the most score, leading their teams to victory.

Other stars also scintillated that afternoon, contributing much to the success of the affair. These stars included Imelda Ilanan, Mina Aragon, Gloria Sevilla, Mat Ranillo, Jr., Barbara Perez, Daisy Romualdez, Blanca Gomez, Eva Darren, Leni Trinidad, Divina Valencia, Lilian Laing de Leon, Cachupoy, Liza Lorena, Jean Lopez, and a lot of others more whom we now fail to remember.

Immediately after the affair, a victory party was held at the D & E Restaurant in Quezon City. It was actually a double-purpose affair. For even if the local boys did not win, the party would have been pushed through just the same--- the cagefest happened to fall on the day before Fernando Poe, Jr.'s birthday. And Joseph Estrada, Ronnie’s bosom friend, believed a party immediately after the game would be the best way to greet Ronnie on his natal day. A king-size cake, the presence of so many friends, and what’s more, a buss from his lady love - what more could Ronnie ask for? In case you are interested, there were 27 candles in all on his birthday cake, which, incidentally, was given by Susan Roces.

A DREAM TEAM: PHILIPPINE MOVIES ALL-STAR SELECTION VS. CLARK AIR BASE SQUADRON/ 1966

July 16, 1966: An exhibition basketball match (for the benefit of the family of the late comedian Vicente Liwanag) between the Philippine Movies All-Star Selection, composed of top actors in Philippine cinema (in alphabetical order- Jun Aristorenas, Victor Bravo, Chiquito, Paquito Diaz, Romy Diaz, Joseph Estrada, Tony Ferrer, Eddie Gutierrez, Jess Lapid, Fernando Poe, Jr., Andy Poe, Lou Salvador, Jr., Bob Soler, Willie Sotelo, Romeo Vasquez and Zaldy Zshornack) and the Clark Air Base Squadron. 

 Ms. Susan Roces as Muse, being escorted by FPJ

THE RP QUINTET IN THE 1973 ABC BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

A 12-man RP basketball team to the 1973 ABC basketball Championship are all pure home-grown talents, no Fil-Ams, imports or naturalized Filipinos to reinforce the team. Bannered by the legendary Robert 'Big J' Jaworski and Alberto 'Big Boy' Reynoso, the team went on to win the prestigious ABC crown beating South Korea, 90-78 in the finals.

1973 RP BASKETBALL TEAM: Ramon Fernandez (center); Alberto Reynoso (center); Alberto Guidaben (center)William Adornado (forward); Manuel Paner (forward); Jaime Mariano (forward); Robert Jaworski (forward), Ricardo Cleofas (forward); Rogelio Melencio (guard); David Regullano (guard); Rosalio Martirez (guard); and Francis Arnaiz (guard).

---to read, click images to enlarge---

The team to the Seventh ABC faced a big task. Aside from the pressure of playing at home, the team aimed to make up for the Philippines lousy performance in the past two editions. The team could only manage a bronze medal in the Fifth ABC in Bangkok, their worst finish to date. Two years ago, the team improved to a silver finish in Tokyo, their only loss coming at the hands of the hosts, 69-93.

The Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP) assembled a team with only five returnees from the last ABC – Robert Jaworski, Big Boy Reynoso, Manny Paner, Bogs Adornado and Yoyong Martirez. A sixth returnee, Larry Mumar, was relegated to the reserve list upon submission of the final 12-player roster by Coach Tito Eduque, who took over from Ning Ramos.

Completing the team were young centers Ramon Fernandez and Abet Guidaben, Dave Regullano, Francis Arnaiz and Joy Cleofas and veterans Jimmy Mariano and Tembong Melencio, who last saw duty four years earlier in Tokyo. Mariano, Melencio, Jaworski and Reynoso were also part of the last Philippine champion team back in 1967 at Seoul.
Again, the Rizal Memorial was the venue of competition from December 18 to 28, 1973. It also marked the biggest ABC to date with 12 participating teams – Philippines, China (Taiwan), Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and first-timers Iran and Pakistan.

The Filipinos bulldozed through the opposition, with a 133-55 massacre of Pakistan on opening day setting the tone. What followed were wins over India (109-73), Indonesia (108-77), Singapore (130-49) and China (88-81). In the next round, the story was the same with wins over Iran (88-80) and Japan (89-68) and repeats over China (101-64) and India (110-84).

In the final game, the Philippines regained the ABC with a 90-78 thrashing of the Koreans. That would mark the last time that an all-Filipino team won the ABC. For winning the ABC, the team also earned a ticket to the 1974 World Championship in Puerto Rico.
Source: http://servssports.wordpress.com/2010/11/04/undefeated-at-home/

PBA SUPERSTARS: IMAGES OF THE 70s to 90s

Miss the days when homegrown talents were kings of the hardcourt. The influx of Fil-Am players dampens my enthusiasm on the games.

Toyota's Robert Jaworski and the fallen Crispa's Alberto Guidaben

Crispa's Philip Cezar , the master shot-blocker

Crispa's William Adornado and Toyota's Robert Jaworski

Crispa's Fortunato 'Atoy' Co dribbling against defender Toyota's Robert Jaworski

Toyota's Ramon Fernandez going against Crispa's Abet Guidaben

Atoy Co against Jaworski


Ginebra's Chito Loyzaga


Benjie Paras


Prized import Billy Ray Bates


Ginebra's Billy Ray Bates and Michael Hackett

Photos: PBA 20 Years in Pictures (1975-94)

JAWORSKI AND THE AÑEJO RHUM 65ers : THE 1988 PBA ALL-FILIPINO CHAMPION

Its experience vs. youth as Añejo and Purefoods clashed in the 1988 PBA All-Filipino championship best of seven series. Ageless and basketball legend Robert ‘Big J’ Jaworski and his bunch of do-or-die Añejo Rhum65ers won the PBA All-Filipino crown beating the young and powerhouse Purefoods Hotdogs led by Alvin Patrimonio and Jerry Codiñera.

Photo: PBA 20 Years in Pictures/ 1994

The Line-ups:
Añejo Rhum: Robert Jaworski (playing coach), Chito Loyzaga, Rudy Distrito, Dondon Ampalayo, Joey Loyzaga, Romulo Mamaril, Leo Isaac, Dante Gonzalgo, Harmon Codiñera

Purefoods Hotdogs: Ramon Fernandez (short stint), Alvin Patrimonio, Jerry Codiñera, Jojo Lastimosa, Glenn Capacio, Padim Israel, Totoy Marquez, Jayvee Yango, Willie Generelao, Jojo Villapando/ Coach- Cris Calilan

Here are the TV clips of Game 5 won by Añejo in overtime. This was one of the best games in the series wherein Añejo, down by 19 points in the third quarter, rallied in the fourth period. After a series of fierce exchanges of baskets and lead changes, Añejo finally downed the gallant Purefoods team in the extra period. Savor the moments--- Jaworski at his fighting best---

Clip 1 of 3/ Courtesy of Philippine Basketball Association (PBA)


Clip 2 of 3/ Courtesy of Philippine Basketball Association (PBA)


Clip 3 of 3/ Courtesy of Philippine Basketball Association (PBA)

PBA SUPERSTARS ENDORSING COCA- COLA & SPRITE (PRINT AD Circa 1976)

That's PBA Superstars Ramon 'Tito' or 'Mon' Fernandez of Toyota and Manuel 'Manny' Paner of Royal Tru-Orange endorsing Coca-Cola and Sprite, together with Robert Jaworski (Toyota); Ernesto 'Estoy' Estrada (Royal Tru-Orange); Francis Arnaiz (Toyota); Fortunato 'Atoy' Co (Crispa); Rosalio 'Yoyong' Martirez (Royal Tru-Orange) and William 'Bogs' Adornado (Crispa).

1970 UAAP AND NCAA CAGE FINALS

-->Schoolyear 2009-2010 just opened. I'm pretty sure member teams of the UAAP and NCAA are in the thick of preparations for the coming collegiate cage wars. Thirty years ago, University of the East and Letran dominated the UAAP and NCAA varsity basketball tournaments respectively. Here's the story---


In 1970, University of the East won its sixth straight UAAP Crown beating the National University, 106- 95. The champion UE team was bannered by Rudolf Kutch, Rodolfo Soriano, Reynaldo Franco and Johnny Revilla, which later become star players of the mighty Crispa Redmanizers, together with stalwarts Adriano ‘Jun’ Papa and Danilo ‘Danny’ Florencio. (click image to read the full text)

On the other side of the fence, Letran captured the 1970 NCAA basketball championship with a clinching second straight victory over La Salle, 94-82. Among the recognizable players in the Letran team were center David Regullano, Rudolf Hines, brothers Ricky and Manuel Pineda. These players made a succesful transistion to the MICAA league. (click image to read the full text)

see: 1965 UAAP CAGE FINALS- UE vs. UST

GARNETT AND THE BOSTON CELTICS ARE NBA CHAMPIONS!!!

After 12 frustrating years with the Minnesota Timberwolves, my idol, Kevin Garnett got his wish--- a championship ring and trophy for his new team, the Boston Celtics.

Kevin Maurice Garnett (born May 19, 1976 in Mauldin, South Carolina) is an American professional basketball player for the NBA’s Boston Celtics. The 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m), 220 lb (100 kg/16 st) power forward is regarded as one of the best all-around players in the NBA. His accomplishments include being voted Most Valuable Player of the 2003-04 season, NBA Defensive Player of the Year of the 2007-08 season, being named to eleven All- Star teams and being named to eight All-NBA and All-Defensive Teams. He is also the all-time leader in NBA seasons played with averages of at least 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists per game. (Source: Wikipedia)

More on Kevin Garnett

Part of my KG collections: McFarlane toy figures and magazines.

For the 17th time in franchise history, the Boston Celtics are NBA Champions.

Kobe Bryant vs Kevin Garnett

The 2008 Celtics brought an end to their storied franchise's 21-year championship drought with the most lopsided closeout win in NBA Finals history on Tuesday night, blowing out the Lakers, 131-92. Leading just 32-29 midway through the second quarter, the Celtics scored 11 straight points and finished the half on a 26-6 run.

In the second half, Boston's 58-35 halftime lead only grew. Clearly, the Celtics had had enough close games.

Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett each scored a game-high 26 points and Rajon Rondo added 20 as the Celtics came up just three points shy of the NBA Finals record for largest margin of victory.

Ray Allen tied an NBA Finals record for 3-pointers made in a single game with seven, and set a new Finals record for 3-pointers made in a series, with 22. Garnett was superb on the boards, pulling down a game-high 14 rebounds for Boston, but it was Rondo who finished with the most astounding stat line in addition to his 20 points: eight assists, seven rebounds and six steals.

The Celtics' historic margin of victory in Game 6 was due in large part to their magnificent defense, which set an NBA Finals record with 18 steals, breaking the previous record of 17.

After the game, Paul Pierce was named Finals MVP. He had a modest outing in Game 6, but stood out plenty in the previous five games to deserve the honor. Pierce averaged 21.8 points and 6.3 assists per game as he, Garnett and Allen captured the first NBA titles of their long, accomplished, respective careers.

Source: NBA Website/ June 17, 2008

THE 1965 UE- UST CAGE FINALS

Its UE's Robert Jaworski vs. UST's Danilo Florencio in the 1965 UAAP basketball finals. The two great basketball warriors later figured in many unforgettable cage wars in the amateur league (MICAA) and the professional league (PBA) in the 6os and 70s.

THE UE-UST RUBBER MATCH:
A CLASSIC OF A CAGE CHAMPIONSHIP

"Last minute errors, swift steals decide nerve-wracking contest"

The best of three games for the 1965 UAAP basketball diadem went to the University of the East, but the hero of the third and decisive match came from the losing team. He was Danilo Florencio, a 19-year old UST forward, whom nobody could stop that night--- except the referees. And when Coach Caloy Loyzaga’s prized rookie fouled out in the closing minute after a spectacular 40-point performance, UST’s retention bid for crown crumbled under the terrific pressure put on by the mighty UE warriors.

Although spotty officiating hurt the Goldies more than it did the Warriors--- only one of the UST first stringers survived the game--- UE could not be denied its hard-earned victory. But for Florencio’s superb showing, Chief Warrior Robert Jaworski was the outstanding star of the evening, grabbing those rebounds like nobody’s business and scattering 29 precious points, the last two of which came off Florencio’s fifth and costly foul and tied the score at 84-all, with 10 seconds to go. At this stage, UST was a badly crippled lot, and Loyzaga had to scrape the bottom of a shallow bench; the reserves he sent in to face a still intact UE first team fell apart with a series of boners which enabled the Warriors to pull two sensational steals and put in four points to clinch the thrill-chocked contest.

The ending reminded fans of UST’s triumph in the first of the three-game championship series last Oct. 31, when Florencio made two lightning interceptions in the last few seconds to give his team a hairline 69-67 victory. The Warriors evened matters in the second game, 72-65, by blanking George Lizares, one of UST’s chief gunners. And Florencio was not so hot that time, making only 17 points, most of which came rather too late to check a determined UE crew.

Ironically, that night Florencio was at his hottest--- the entire UE team practically ganged up on him, to no avail--- UST lost the title and made Florencio the most frustrated hero in the history of UAAP cage competitions.

Source: Sunday Times Magazine
November 28, 1965

OCTOBER 2, 1967: RP REGAINS CAGE TITLE

The RP National Basketball teams won the ABC (Asian Basketball Championship) five times in 1960, 1963, 1967, 1973 and 1986. It also won the Asian Games Gold four times in 1951, 1954, 1958 and 1962 during the reign and time of Carlos 'The Big Difference' Loyzaga. The best finish by a Philippine Team and any Asian Team in the World Championships is a Bronze Medal in 1954. Up to this time, no Asian nation has ever surpass this until the present time.

Let us relive and revisit that one single and shining moment when the Philippine team went on to regain the ABC in 1967 ---Here's that story from the front page of The Manila Times

Philippine Team Lineups: Narciso Bernardo, Joaquin Rojas, Orlando Bauzon, Alberto Reynoso, Robert Jaworski, Adriano Papa, Danilo Florencio, Edgardo Ocampo, Rogelio Melencio, Edgardo Roque, Jaime Mariano/ Coach- Carlos Loyzaga

Philippines d. Indonesia 103-67
Philippines d. Malaysia 92-55
Philippines d. India 111-63
Philippines d. Japan 81-69
Philippines d. Singapore 107-58
Philippines d. China 83-79
Philippines d. Hongkong 103-52
Philippines d. Thailand 95-66
Philippines d. Korea 83-80

RP WINS CAGE CROWN
DEFEATS KOREA 83 to 80

Seoul, Oct.1 --- The Philippines regained the Asian basketball championship tonight with an uphill 83-80 victory over South Korea before 12,000 partisan spectators. Six Filipino players fouled out in the last quarter of a harrowing game in which the Philippines fell behind, 11-2, in the first three minutes. Narciso Bernardo led the Filipinos out of that jam to a 41-38 halftime lead. And as Adriano Papa caught fire and pumped in 12 points in a five-minute stretch in the third quarter, they stormed out front, 58-47. But the rugged, spirited Koreans did not give up so easily and the outcome remained in doubt until Danilo Florencio, fresh from the bench, hit four points in the last 48 seconds. Thus did the Filipinos get back the crown they lost to Japan in the third ABC tournament in Kuala Lumpur in 1965.

It also ended a rash of international setbacks for the Philippines which began with its failure to qualify for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Following the defeat to Japan in 1965 in Kuala Lumpur, the Philippines lost the Asian Games championship in Bangkok last December, finishing in sixth place. “We promised not to let our people down,” said Filipino coach Carlos Loyzaga, who was as a player starred in the Philippines’ greatest moments on the international basketball scene. Tears welled in Loyzaga’s eyes. The players were in tears as they shook hands with the handful of Filipino spectators who had come down to the court to congratulate them.

The Koreans used the zone but pressed spasmodically, catching the Filipinos off-guard most of the time. However, Loyzaga’s boys managed to slip through the Korean defense whenever they saw an opening. The Filipinos, on the other hand, muzzled the Koreans with a switching man to man, although the effort cost them 41 fouls. Those who fouled out were Eddie Ocampo--- who virtually silenced Shin Dong Pa, the Korean ace; Rogelio Melencio, Joaquin Rojas, Robert Jaworski, Edgardo Roque and Orlando Bauzon. The Koreans drew only 30 fouls from the Uruguyan and Canadian referees, Mario Hopenayn and Allen Gordon Rae.

In addition to clinching a berth in the Mexico Olympics, the Philippine quintet assured itself of a tour of the United States under the People to People program.Surprisingly nothing untoward happened. The most the partisan fans did was to boo the Filipinos whenever they had the ball. The crowd’s jeering was at its loudest when the Koreans rallied from 73-65 to 79-79 on the drives of Kim In Kun and Ha Ui Keon.

The victory was the ninth straight for the Filipinos in the 10-nation, one-round series, which was staged for the fourth time since 1960. Japan wrapped up third place by clobbering Singapore, 90-55.

Bernardo scored 16 of his 23 points during the Philippine rally in the first half. With Ocampo tying up Shin, the Philippines inched ahead for the first time at 27-26 in the 12^th minute. Bauzon and Jaworski connected two baskets and the Filipinos were on their way. Papa, who sizzled only in the second half, was assisted by Jaime Mariano and Roque as the Philippines hammered out its 58-47 advantage. The Filipinos outrebounded the Koreans, 41-24, grabbing 17 to Koreans’ nine in the first half. Bernardo, Mariano, Melencio and Alberto Reynoso accounted for 23 of those rebounds. Officiating was strict, resulting in too many charging calls on both sides.

The Manila Times/ October 2, 1967

More on Basketball

NBA's KEVIN GARNETT

The popularity of NBA Cards in the Philippines had its peak in mid 90s when His Airness, Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls ruled the NBA. The popular and sought-after players that time, besides Jordan, were Grant Hill, Anfernee 'Penny' Hardaway, Jason Kidd, Dennis Rodman, rookies Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, Stephon Marbury, Ray Allen, Steve Nash and a little later, Tim Duncan. I used to hang outs at the old Virra Mall in Greenhills, SM Centerpoint and other trading points in Metro Manila and had grand time swapping, trading, selling, buying cards with collectors and avid NBA fans. It was pure fun that time until the Asian financial crisis ruined and messed the whole thing. The prices of the cards went high and became unaffordable.

Original signed Kevin Garnett card / Skybox Autographics 1996
My prized KG collection

Topps Redemption card- 1995

I am a KG fan from the time he was drafted in 1995. He was second to my all-time best player, the legendary Michael Jordan of Chicago Bulls. Kevin Garnett jumped directly into the NBA in 1995 out of high school. Drafted No. 5 pick overall, he became the fifth player to enter the league without having played college basketball. For 12 seasons, Garnett stood as the lone wolf in Minnesota. The “Big Ticket” carried the team on his shoulders and while being paid handsomely for the big task (more than $200 million), he fell short of taking his team to the finals. Garnett produced an MVP season in 2004. He got Minnesota within two victories of a finals berth that year.

Last July 2007, the T-Wolves traded KG to the Celts in a seven-for-one trade, the largest in NBA history. With Paul Pierce and Ray Allen already in the roster, the Celtics have been transformed into an instant title contender. The Celtic’s last championship came in 1986 courtesy of the original big three --- Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish. The team is now poised to make another title run with Garnett, Pierce and Allen.

Today, the Boston Celtics has the best win-loss NBA record at 32-6.

NBA rookie and insert cards during KG's rookie year
(part of my KG collection- his rookie year NBA cards)