Back to a place which became a witness to the important celebrations and gatherings that usually come after every hard-fought triumphs, half of the fabled Toyota Tamaraws team had gathered to recall the fond memories that had made them one of the most popular squads in the PBA.
It was one great day to walk down the memory lane as some came in retro – well that had made the reunion more colorful.
Though the team’s biggest star – Robert “Big J” Jaworski – was not around, the affair was nevertheless a big success.
The well-furnished Alfresco Covered Lounge in Makati, after decades, once again became the center of stories and laughter – most of those probably anecdotes from their storied and fierce rivalry with the Crispa Redmanizers – as long-time mentor and owner Dante Silverio led the commemoration of the team’s 50th anniversary on Saturday, Jan. 18.
The event was organized by 1976 PBA Rookie of the Year Virgilio “Gil” Cortez who coordinated with PBA historian Jay Mercado and four-time PBA MVP Ramon Fernandez whose trip in the US brought up the possibility of holding a reunion after reconnecting with old pals Francis Arnaiz, Ricky Relosa and many-time Toyota import Andrew Fields.
From there, Cortez took the initiative and as soon as the phones started ringing, everyone knew it was just the perfect time to rekindle the bond that remained strong even after they went their separate ways when they finally decided to hang their respective sneakers.
Emerito Legaspi, Leopoldo Herrera, Ompong Segura, Oscar Rocha, Ulysees Rodriguez, Arlene Rodriguez, Judge Concepcion, Joseph Galonga and Ed Cordero all joined the gathering, reminiscing their old, dominant days when the Tamaraws bagged a total of nine championships in the PBA.
Pasig City Vice Mayor Robert “Dodot” Jaworski Jr. was also in attendance, gracing the event on behalf of his father, “Sonny” Jaworski, who is nursing an ailment.
Carrying the banner of the Komatsu Komets then coached by Nilo Verona, Jaworski and company ruled the 1973 Manila Industrial Commercial Athletic Association (MICAA) in a dominant fashion – the sign they needed to make the leap to the PBA where a run-and-gun but rugged and physical Tamaraws team won the first two conferences in the league.
The team would soon become the most recognized squad along with rival Crispa in the years to come before Toyota was forced to sell its franchise in 1983. (BRIAN YALUNG)