William “Bogs” Adornado, PBA’s first-ever Most Valuable Player (MVP), has criticized the list of 15 players added to the list of PBA’s Greatest Players, saying there were more deserving players that were left out.
Adornado was among the legends who attended the 40th year anniversary of the PBA Wednesday night at the Newport Performing Arts Theater Resorts World Manila in Pasay City.
The new additions brought to 40 players feted by the league.
The 63-year-old Adornado did not mention any names that should not be included from the list.
“Dapat siguro inuna na muna yung mga mas matanda kesa dun sa mga bata,” said Adornado, citing Nelson Asaytono – the fifth all-time scoring leader in league history – as well as Abe King and Yoyoy Villamin.
The names of Jeff Cariaso, Danny Seigle, Manny Victorino, Olsen Racela, Bong Hawkins and the late Arnie Tuadles also cropped up.
Of the 15 names to the list of Greatest Players, 10 are MVP awardees.
These are Danny Ildefonso (2000, 2001), Willie Miller (2002, 2007), James Yap (2006, 2010), Asi Taulava (2003), Eric Menk (2005), Kelly Williams (2008), Jayjay Helterbrand (2009), Jimmy Alapag (2011), Mark Caguioa (2012) and Arwind Santos (2013). Alapag retired this season after the Philippine Cup.
Joining them are non-MVP winners Jayson Castro, Marc Pingris and three ex-pros Kerby Raymundo, Chito Loyzaga and Marlou Aquino, who failed to attend the event due to personal reasons.
Only 12 players from the original 25 Greatest Players were able to attend the gathering, since some of them are living in the United States or in the province, but others opted not to go.
Adornado said some of his former Crispa teammates decided not to go – a sign of protest apparently. But for him, while he is critical, he said it’s his decision to attend, saying: “I will not miss this event.”