1997 was arguably the most memorable and enjoyable part of my basketball life. It's when I came to realize I can't live without watching PBA and most especially Purefoods. The happiness they brought me every time they win, the tears I've shed every time they lost, (not to mention the humiliation I get as people were amazed and was making fun of me at the same time as why the hell I am crying over a lost game), it was wonderful. I envied my favorite players and was dreaming I was like them, shooting those hoops, making the crucial stops and the big plays. And it's all because of the Purefoods five back then giving their all and making every Purefoods fans happy, Alvin Patrimonio, Jerry Codiñera, Dindo Pumaren, Bong Ravena, and Rey Evangelista. They were among the top players back then, and will always be among the top players of the league all time.
I've always treasure those times Alvin Patrimonio bailed out Purefoods. He was the real pain in the neck for all the other teams, no one can stop him from posting up, stopping him from making crucial shots and all. The Captain is the captain and knows well how to lead his troops. Even at the bench, he knows how to lead on cheering them on. He also have the best attitude towards his fans and will always be one of the main reasons Purefoods is loved by many.
And back then, when there's an Alvin Patrimonio, then there's his twin tower Jerry Codiñera. They were even dubbed one of the most fearsome front liners in the PBA. Jerry effectively do his role and more. He's the only Defense Minister, a monster rebounder on both ends, and can always deliver with his medium range jumpers. No one had beaten yet his record for making an all-time most shot blocks of 11 on a single game. Plus his number 3 among the all-time rebounders, a 9-times defensive team member, and 2-times sportsmanship awardee. And he was able to achieve that even in a supporting role to Alvin Patrimonio. That's why they were the perfect combination that time, one gets to take charge over one thing and then one on the other.
Purefoods has one of the best point guard ever to play the league. Dindo Pumaren was one of the best among the best. It's a wonder he was not included among the 25 Greatest Player of all time, but then again it can't only be the evidence of his greatness. He was top 3 all time among assists leaders having a total of 4043, 5th among all-time leaders for steals, a lot of times he was the league leader for assist-to-turnover ratio. Purefoods looks good with their plays back then and though he can shoot well too (he was able to score 5248, number 52 among all-time scoring leaders), he opted to make his teammates score more. He also was a good defender making life tough for best point guards like Olsen Racela and Johnny Abarrientos and have 2 defensive team member on his belt. How I miss Purefoods having a legitimate point guard, one that is with the size of a point guard, plays like a point guard and still has a big heart just like everyone else.
And then there's Purefoods swingmen Bong Ravena. He was a PBA Rookie of the year awardee over at SMB back in 1992 beating Vergel Meneses. He was transferred to Purefoods by 1994 but his best performance was that of 1997 where he averaged 11.5 points per game in 63 games. He was named Most Improved player that year. He was amazing with his shots. I learn alley-hoop because of him and Dindo Pumaren, and his three-pointer was a set-shot, which doesn't really have the best averages but looks really cool.
And finally, (I'm saving the best for last of course, haha!) Rey Evangelista. He just played the supporting role back then. He usually came off the bench. But that's Rey, whatever minutes he gets, he provides. He's not like Jerry who blocked shots but he makes every one's day so tough. He can go up against imports, guards, forwards and centers. As I've always said several times, if there would be a statistics for those turnovers force by a defender especially those offensive foul, Rey will be among the top of them if not the number one. I'd never seen a Purefoods game with him not diving on the floor. I guess he loves the floor that much (hehe just kidding). As years passed by, his career with Purefoods was tremendous. He had provided them the best one player can give. A real work horse, humble, a sportsman.
I was quite sad not being able to see them all together live. I was quite frustrated sometimes thing of all those good games they've played before 1996. I was actually hoping I was born earlier and was supporting them since then. But that was just wishful thinking. I'm happy to support them that made basketball meaningful to me. Now, they were still here. They're not all on the same team but still they were doing something for the game we have all loved. Rey, Bong, Dindo and Jerry are coaches among different teams and Alvin being a team manager. They might not have written all-time records yet for these new works they have, but I'm sure, they're already giving their best and will help their respective teams now and as long as they're there. Me, I'll still be here supporting them, cheering them. It might look weird but heck, they're the best for me.
---undesirablenumber1---
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