There's good gNews and bad gNews

It took 15 years before whoever votes for the players in the Basketball Hall of Fame came to their senses and decided that Dennis Johnson should be inducted. Well, DJ is gone having passed away a couple of years ago because of a heart attack. I wouldn't know about the criteria there but they probably have their reasons. This is the best bit of good news for the Boston Celtics considering how their current team is floundering. Doc Rivers was right. They just had one year to win it all.

So of the great Boston Celtics teams of the 1980's that won three NBA titles in five Finals appearances, how many players do they have in the Hall of Fame -- Larry Bird, Robert Parish, Kevin McHale, Bill Walton, and Nate Archibald? Am I missing anyone?

Say this for Danny Ainge, he sure learned from Red Auerbach when he took Kevin Garnett from Minnesota. The best assist Kevin McHale ever made.

Then there's Smart Gilas versus Vrsac. Look at them guys! They're huge. And in a bit of disconcerting news, the Arizona Republic reports that Dwayne Jones, the D-Leaguer Smart Gilas officials were hoping to sign, is on his way to the Phoenix Suns instead. Enough with the Americans. Get an African or a European.

Here's something from the PBA: Players from four of the nine pioneering ballclubs of the Philippine Basketball Association will be making a rare appearance in a reunion date next week to highlight the league’s 35th Foundation Week celebration set April 9-18.

“This will be the highlight of the entire Foundation Week celebration,” said PBA Commissioner Renauld ‘Sonny’ Barrios. “We will be turning back the hands of time and paying tribute to these greats that evening.”

On April 9, 1975, an estimated crowd of 18,000 packed the Araneta Coliseum for a double-header that saw Mariwasa Noritake turn back Concepcion Carrier, 101-98, and Toyota edge U-Tex, 105-101.

Mariwasa was led by American import Cisco Oliver – he of the classic Alaska Milk commercial with a young Michael Uytengsu “Alaska Man” – who scored 48 points followed by the 17 of former Crispa Redmanizer great Adriano ‘Jun’ Papa. "Galing mo, man!"

Jimmy Noblezada poured 24 points for Concepcion while Jimmy Mariano added 17. Joy Dionisio, who scored the PBA’s first basket, had 10 points.

In the main game, fast break finisher Ompong Segura scored 23 points for the Comets and Francis ‘Mr. Clutch’ Arnaiz added 22, Big Boy Reynoso 17, Ramon Fernandez 13, and Robert Jaworski 11 points in a smashing debut by Toyota.

Leading U-Tex was led by Larry Mumar and Danny Florencio who both scored 29 points. Rudolf Kutch added 13 points.

Invited to the reunion bash are players from Mariwasa, including Hubert Filipinas, Jesse Sullano, Luke Dacula Dator, Epoy Alcantara, Mark Arriola, Edmund Tierra and Ulysses Rodriguez.

Expected from Concepion other than Noblezada, Mariano and Dionisio, are Alfonso Mora, Lim Eng Beng, Ramon Lucindo, Roel Deles, Jesus Dungo and Francisco Henares.

From Toyota, outside Segura, Arnaiz, Fernandez and Jaworski, are Oscar Rocha, Jake Rojas and Orly Bauzon, while Danny Basilan, Egay Gomez, Romeo Frank, Roy Deles, George Lizares and Orlando de los Santos are to be welcomed from U-Tex.

The above players and their teammates are requested to call the PBA office and get in touch with Coy Perez at 470-2768 to 70 for their availability and schedule.