Ricric Marata remembered

MANILA, Philippines – Former Sen. Robert “Sonny” Jaworski, Sr., the “Living Legend” of Philippine basketball, urged the present crop of players to give their best every time they compete on court.

“Papaalala ko din po ‘yung mga manlalaro. Minsan po ay wala ng pang-tinapay [ang fans] papanood pa ang PBA. Kaya pagbutihin po natin ang paglalaro para masayahan ang ating mga kababayan,” the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) icon said.

“The Big J” gave a speech on Sunday during the culmination of the PBA’s 35th founding anniversary celebration at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.

Jaworski, a former Toyota player and Ginebra San Miguel playing coach, was honored alongside cagers Atoy Co, Ompong Segura, Samboy Lim, Hector Calma and Allan Caidic at the end of the PBA’s weeklong anniversary celebration.

Other former PBA players who were at the Big Dome included Danny Florencio, Ramon Lucindo, Egay Gomez and Orly Bauzon.

“Marami pong istorya subalit as being the representative of my co-players, gusto ko pong pasalamatan ang lahat ng sambayanang Pilipino na nagtanggap sa amin si inyong mga bahay-bahay. Kung wala po kayo, wala po kami,” said Jaworski.

Former PBA Commissioner Rudy Salud and former PBA team manager Paeng Hechanova were also present.

Marata remembered

The 64-year-old Jaworski also mentioned the late Ricric Marata, who played for Alaska, Sta. Lucia, Shell, Sunkist and Pop Cola.

“Si Ricric Marata ay bata pa. Kaya po sa araw-araw ay pasalamatan po natin ang Poong Maykapal,” he noted.

Marata passed away at the age of 45 in the United States due to autoimmune disease and organ failure, The Philippine Star reported.

According to Ronnie Nathanielsz of PhilBoxing.com, Marata played in the PBA from 1989 to 1997. He averaged 6.8 points per game in a total of 397 games.

The online report added that Marata last played the sport in November 2009 with the PBA Legends in the US for a fundraising project for less fortunate students and tropical storm “Ondoy” victims.

Sports excellence

Meanwhile, Jaworski took the time to thank the PBA commissioners who toiled for the league’s success.

He also cited the leadership of the PBA for their social and economic contributions to the country.

“Hindi po nakikita ng iba subalit napakalaking bagay po na tayo’y magsama-sama at nagsisikap na bigyan ng panibagong pananaw. It’s excellence through and in sports na talgaang pag-asa ng bayan natin,” said the former senator.

“Hindi po masama na mag-basketball tayo, magvolleyball tayo. Mas maganda po ito kaysa doon sa ibang bisyo na walang pong pupuntahan,” he added.

PBA forever

Jaworski could not express his gratitude enough: “Salamat po nang buong puso for making us 35 years old. At wag po kayong mag-alala. Sabi nga nila, tatanda rin kayo.”

He also talked about the league’s essence: “Dahil dito, hindi ho pagandahang lalaki ito. ‘Di rin po pagandahan ng sapatos. Ito po ay patibayan ng pagkakaisa, pagsasama-sama, pagsisikap at pagtugon sa mga alituntunin. Hindi po puwede na stepping ka na ay konti lang. Dito po talagang tunay na demokraysa.”

He then wished for the continued success of the PBA and other Philippine sports leagues.

Meanwhile, hard court action of the 2010 PBA Fiesta Conference ensued after the anniversary ceremony.

San Miguel Beer trounced Barangay Ginebra, 102-94, while Sta. Lucia Realty posted a 106-98 victory in overtime over Air21, 106-98. – With reports from Ronnie Nathanielsz, PhilBoxing.com and Nelson Beltran, The Philippine Star