Chua’s pet project PBA Hall of Fame unfolds on Friday

Wherever he may be, the late Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) chairman Tony Chua may be grinning from ear to ear. On Friday night, the last major undertaking of the Barako Bull team manager prior to his death finally unfolds as seven cage personalities will be inducted into the 2009 Hall of Fame Awards at the Rizal Ballroom of the Makati Shangri-La Hotel. Chua died at the height of tropical storm "Ondoy" two weeks ago. The formal gathering is set at 7 p.m. with Allan Caidic, the late Emilio “Jun" Bernardino, Samboy Lim, Hector Calma, Ricardo Brown and seven-time best import Bobby Parks heading the short list of deserving inductees.

Also up for induction is former PBA chairman Carlos “Honeyboy" Palanca III. “This is his (Chua’s) brainchild. It’s just unfortunate he will not be around when we hold the Hall of Fame awards," said Talk ‘N Text executive Ricky Vargas, also a former league Board chairman and a known close friend of Chua. Caidic is considered the greatest three-point shooter in PBA history as he holds the record for most triples made in a single game (17). Bernardino, who passed away in 2004, is credited for steering the league through generally placid, though at times turbulent waters for nearly eight seasons. 22 and counting The Hall of Fame, which honors selected former players and personalities of the PBA, was launched in 2005 during the Reunion Game pitting two teams made up of the league’s 25th Anniversary All-Time Team. The initial batch was a virtual Who’s Who in Philippine basketball – Robert Jaworski, Ramon Fernandez, Fortunato Co, Philip Cezar, William “Bogs" Adornado, Francis Arnaiz, legendary coach Virgilio ‘Baby’ Dalupan, founding commissioner Leo Prieto, founding chairman Emerson Coseteng, former commissioner Rodrigo “Rudy" Salud, Crispa team owner Danny Floro, and TV play-by-play sportscaster Joe Cantada. Making it to the second batch two years later were: Abet Guidaben, Manny Paner, Danny Florencio, import and Grand Slam champion coach Norman Black, American mentor Ron Jacobs, PBA founding president Domingo Itchon, team owner Eduardo Cojuangco Jr., Toyota head coach Dante Silverio, veteran sportswriter Tony Siddayao, and former TV commentator Pinggoy Pengson. PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios pays tribute to all the honorees. "It is with the highest regard that the PBA welcomes them to the Hall of Fame," Barrios said. PBA chairman Lito Alvarez of Burger King leads the Hall of Fame executive committee which has for members Rene Pardo of Purefoods and Atty. Mamerto Mondragon of Rain or Shine, and, until his demise recently, Barako Bull’s Chua. “After more than two months of deliberation, we’re happy to formally announce this year’s batch of inductees in the PBA Hall of Fame," Alvarez said. “So far, there are already 22 players and personalities who had been inducted, 12 in 2005 and 10 in 2007. So, nakikita natin na habang tumatagal, pahirap na nang pahirap ang pagpili ng mga honorees, who are all deserving and worthy to be called Hall of Famers." Alvarez added a set of criteria have been enforced ever since by a selection panel that included commissioner Sonny Barrios, former chairman Joaqui Trillo, Alvarez, Chua, sports editors Ding Marcelo of the Manila Bulletin and Teddyvic Melendres of Inquirer, Tempo assistant editor Tito Talao and long-time broadcaster Andy Jao, who heads the Hall of Fame’s nomination committee. The honors committee that determined the final seven-man list was headed by former Vintage Enterprise head Bobong Velez. - GMANews.TV