Defensive flagship Alaska’s Bon Hawkins (right) has applied the body to Danny Ildefonso of San Miguel Beer, one of the members of the PBA’s biggest list. – File photo
Bon Hawkins was by no means the flashiest player in the courtroom, but his influence could not be denied. A nonsense force for milking in the Alaskan dynasty of the 90s, he built a career in quiet excellence.
However, his omission from the list of great players in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) 40 ten years ago sparked much debate.
How will the cornerstones of Alaska’s championship machines be removed from such a prestigious list?
Read: Add 10 “Max” of PBAs to Know Now
“I’m not really disappointed,” he said. “That’s a bit disappointing. I said I should be on that list, but I said I can, there’s nothing I can do. After all, they’re the ones who make the decision,” he said on the sidelines of the Basketball Variktano Summit, which took place on Sunday at the Ortigas Foundation in San Juan.
Hawkins finally relented in the face of long-term scarring.
“I feel a little unwell,” he said, his eyes shining.
For years, Hawkins’ absence – Nelson Asightno’s presence was a point of conflict. Their omissions are overseen by many directors who will be revised when the PBA announces 10 new names this week and adds to the legendary bunch to celebrate its 50th founding anniversary.
Hawkins is a 10-time PBA champion and has helped deliver nine titles to milkers, including the historic triple crown sweep that suspended teams’ iron handles of that era.
Personally, he is the MVP of the finals and the winner of the conference’s best player (BPC). He won the All-Star team three times and was also a member of the All-Defensive team in 1994. More importantly, he was a two-time top candidate for the season MVP.
The glue man assembled his body through the lens of the team’s success.
“I think if even one of us hadn’t been missing, things would have been completely different. It was Johnny (Abilientos), JoJo (Last Imosa), or Jeff (Cariso), and then Kenneth (Duremdes), who came a little later, which was pretty at the heart of it, so that’s what we were very consistent in the meantime.
“I know I played a big role in that dynasty.”
Cariaso’s continued exclusion is just as baffling as Hawkins. Like Hawkins, Kariaso was a pillar of the Alaskan dynasty, but his qualifications are beyond its ages.
Another important part of that Alaskan dynasty, Caliaso had seven more All-Star selections, three more nods of all-defensive teams, and two times the mythical first team membership of his longtime teammates.
vertex
Rookie of the Year in 1995 saw Caliaso tabbing BPC when he suited up with the Coca-Cola Tigers in 2002, earning the following year’s Final MVP. He finished his career with a total of eight PBA championships.
“I think making a list is a culmination award that you can receive at the end of your career,” he told The Inquirer. “It shows great honor and gratitude for what you bring to the game: how you played, your style, and the impact you made — that’s a great thank you.”
Kariaso answered frankly.
“It’s already a blessing to be considered,” he said. “I want to make it? Of course. Do you think I deserve to be there? Absolutely. But it’s out of my control. I know there’s a panel that determines this.”
The subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription was successful.
“I also think I’ve already told you because you must know the story. I’ve had two heartaches with the national team. I remember not making the first team. I didn’t make the second one, but finally I made the third one,” Kariaso said. “So, as you know, this time it’s fascinating.”
