Purefoods retires jerseys of Hotdogs legends Jerry Codiñera, Rey Evangelista

The Purefoods franchise honored two of the greatest players to suit up for the squad in the PBA on Sunday, retiring the jerseys of Jerry Codiñera and Rey Evangelista.

The simple ceremony was held on Sunday before the Star Hotshots' Manila Clasico matchup against Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.

Codiñera formed a long frontcourt partnership with Alvin Patrimonio for Purefoods, earning the nickname "The Defense Minister." He played for the Hotdogs from 1988 to 1999, and was named to the PBA's 25 Greatest Players list during the league's silver anniversary in 1998.

"Parang ito yung pinaka-culmination ng career ko as a Purefoods player," he said in a televised interview after the ceremony.


Evangelista, meanwhile, played his whole career with the franchise after being picked second overall in 1994. He retired in 2009, after which he spent a couple of seasons as an assistant coach for Purefoods before moving to his hometown of Ormoc, Leyte.

"Masaya ako na binigyan ng recognition ng Purefoods management," said Evangelista, who has been busy with recovery efforts in his home city after it was ravaged by super typhoon Yolanda last year.

"We are recovering po sa tulong ng mga relatives at mga NGOs at mga organizations abroad. Malaking tulong yung binigay nila sa amin."

As part of the tribute, the Star Hotshots wore retro jerseys for their matchup against the Gin Kings. — JST, GMA News