Two legends, game on the line, doing their magic. Hard to top that.
As far as PBA All-Star moments go, the one from the inaugural game stands alone as the most memorable. And it might be near-impossible to top.
That’s because that moment in time involved the two most iconic figures in Asia’s first pay-for-play league in Robert “Sonny” Jaworksi and Ramon “El Presidente” Fernandez. It also involved a gorgeous game-winner, which led to a thawing of the most famous cold war in Philippine basketball.
For starters, that Veterans vs Rookie-Sophomore-Juniors (RSJ) All-Star Game was star-studded.
The PBA’s rising stars comprised the RSJ Team, including Alvin Patrimonio, Benjie Paras, Bong Alvarez, Jerry Codiñera, Jojo Lastimosa, Ronnie Magsanoc, Nelson Asaytono, and Boy Cabahug. They were coached by the venerable Dante Silverio. The veterans were just as stacked, with Jaworski and Fernandez as the marquee attractions and Philip Cezar, Yoyoy Villamin, and Arnie Tuadles all in the lineup. Their coach was none other than the legendary Virgilio "Baby" Dalupan.
The game itself lived up to the hype. Actually, it exceeded expectations, with the veterans and the upstarts playing the first-ever PBA All-Star Game like it was Game 7 of the Finals.
And then there was that ending—the kind that would have today’s casuals proclaiming, “Scripted!”
With the game tied at 130 and time down to 4 seconds, Dalupan sued for time and devised a play for—who else?—his two biggest stars in Jaworski and Fernandez.
Up to that point, the two legends of Philippine basketball had been in a palpable rivalry that began in 1982, when Fernandez suggested Jaworski should retire after suffering an injury. The Big J, evidently, did not take too kindly to El Presidente’s insinuation, prompting him to give his former teammate the cold shoulder.
Fast-forward seven years later to 1989 and there they were, entrusted by Dalupan to hook up for the game-winning play.
They responded, like only legends could.
Jaworski lofted a pass to Fernandez on the left wing, and El Presidente did the rest. The lanky center snaked his way baseline with those graceful, gazelle-like strides, before flicking in a smooth lay-in as time expired.
As the veterans and their fans celebrated, Dalupan orchestrated that game’s final memory, asking the two superstars to shake hands.
They obliged. And with that, the slow process of reconciliation between the two legends began.
All things considered, it's hard to see any PBA All-Star moment coming close to that one starring Jaworski and Fernandez.