MANILA, Philippines – Three PBA legends will lead a selection committee that will determine the 10 newest additions to the Greatest Players list that will soon grow to 50 as the league celebrates its 50th anniversary in April.
Considered by many as the finest PBA player of all-time, four-time MVP Ramon Fernandez banners the 10-man panel that also includes fellow MVPs Allan Caidic and Atoy Co.
Joining them are champion coach Dante Silverio, former PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios, former Manila Bulletin sports editor Ding Marcelo, former Philippine Daily Inquirer sports editor Al Mendoza, current Philippine Star sports editor and Philippine Sportswriters Association president Nelson Beltran, and broadcasters Quinito Henson and Andy Jao.
They will be responsible in choosing the most deserving players who will be added to the current 40-man list.
Originally, the PBA named 25 Greatest Players, including Fernandez, Caidic, and Co, during its 20th anniversary in 2000 before it picked 15 more in 2015 for its 40th anniversary.
PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said he will suggest the automatic inclusion of June Mar Fajardo, who is up there with Fernandez in the GOAT conversation.
After all, Fajardo — who is in his 11th season with San Miguel — has won a record eight MVP awards, a record 11 Best Player of the Conference plums, and 10 championships.
“It depends on the committee. The PBA will only facilitate,” said Marcial.
The new selection gives other league icons the chance to crack the Greatest Players list after they were snubbed in the past, among them Nelson Asaytono, Abe King, Olsen Racela, and Bong Hawkins. – Rappler.com