Derby Ace import’s dad was Jaworski’s former teammate

B-MEG Derby Ace parades its last-minute replacement import Friday in hope of keeping its season and its “modern-day" grandslam bid alive. The import the Llamados will be bringing in is Tony Washam, who will create history as the only second-generation import to play in the Philippine Basketball Association, according to head statistician and league trivia man Fidel Mangonon III. In his twitter account, Mangonon said that Tony’s dad, Dartona Washam, suited up for Gilbey’s Gin in 1984 and played alongside Robert Jaworski, Francis Arnaiz and Terry Saldaña, former Toyota stalwarts who joined then holdover players such as Gary Vargas, Joseph Herrera, Rad Pasco, Steve Watson, Willie Generelao, Ed Ducut and former Parañaque mayor and comedian Joey Marquez among others. Jaworski, Arnaiz and Saldaña joined Gilbey’s that year after Toyota got disbanded. The other members of the Silver Corollas were dispersed to other teams. Other notable players such as Mon Fernandez, who had feuded with Jaworski for several years, became the franchise player of Beer Hausen, Abe King went to Gold Eagle Beer and the late Arnie Tuadles and Chito Loyzaga were acquired by emerging powerhouse Great Taste, which went on to win two titles that same year. Mangonon added that the elder Washam played for Gilbey’s in 12 games and averaged 42.75 points per game. Basketball historian Jay P. Mercado of MYPBA and Pinoy Exchange recalled Washam who played in 1984 in the only import-laden conference that season. “Yes, he played for Gilbey’s Gin," said Mercado. “He played in the only import-laden conference because there were two All-Filipino tournaments at that time as the country was feeling the economic pinch brought about by the assassination of the Ninoy Aquino a year earlier." Mercado also said that there were siblings who played one way or another in the PBA and former imports who have brothers playing in the NBA. “Leroy Jackson, former U-Tex import, was the brother of Lewis Jackson of Presto," said Mercado, who is also the human resources manager of a well-known fastfood chain. “Other players I can recall were former Royal Tru-Orange import Frank Gugliota, whose brother Tom played for the Phoenix Suns in the NBA, former Tanduay import Andy Thompson, whose brother Mychal, was a member of the back-to-back champion Los Angeles Lakers team in 1987-88." Mangonon said “The Iceman" George Gervin, one of the 50 Greatest Players ever of the NBA, had a son who played in the PBA – Gee Gervin, who suited up for Coca-Cola in 2008 Fiesta Cup, and a brother, who played for the Purefoods Corned Beef Cowboys in the 1996 Commissioners Cup. “Derrick (Gervin), who played for the New Jersey Nets from 1989 to 1992, suited up for Purefoods in the 1996 Commissioners Cup under then coach Chot Reyes. He played for seven games and averaged 37 points, 13 rebounds, one assist, 1.7 steals and one block per game and replaced Ronnie Thompkins," said Mangonon. Thompkins, who led Swift to the 1993 Commissioners Cup crown, was the Corned Beef Cowboys’ original choice at that time, but was excluded from the league after testing positive for a banned substance. Washam, the second-generation player, was a former St. Vincent College star and made a great reputation playing big-time basketball in Israel. He won two championships playing in different teams in Israel, including a title with Elitzur Maccabi Netanya in the 2008-2009 season. There, he posted impressive numbers of 30.1 points and 8.1 rebounds en route to also capturing the playoff MVP honors. A season earlier, he led Hapoel Holon to the crown while also winning the MVP award. Washam will replace hardworking import Clif Brown, who was put on the injured list. - GMANews.TV