Jaworski's lucky 7

Jaworski's lucky 7

SPORTING CHANCE By Joaquin Henson

After 7 minutes of the fourth period, Robert Jaworski stood up to leave with the outcome of the Barangay Ginebra-Petron game far from settled in a PBA Governors Cup semifinal game at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last Sunday night.

But in The Big J’s mind, he knew which team would come out on top. It had to be Ginebra which, by the way, has 7 letters. At the half, Ginebra was down by eight and Jaworski walked up to the players before the third quarter started and told them, “kaya natin ‘to.” He basically told them to go out there and kick butt. They did.

With time almost out, Ginebra import Cedric Bozeman hit a floater from the baseline to lift the Kings to a dramatic 87-85 win. The Kings were down by 11 at the start of the fourth period. It was a classic ending, so typical of Ginebra. Before the game, Jaworski’s No. 7 jersey was retired by Ginebra in a ceremony that took over an hour before more than 15,000 fans. How appropriate that Jaworski’s tribute came in the PBA’s 37th season – 15 years after he played his last game in 1997.

The number 7 stuck out in the boxscores. First, Ginebra’s scored 87 points – on July 8 when Jaworski’s No. 7 was retired. Second, the Kings tallied 7 turnover points which were crucial as they came off only eight Petron miscues. Third, there were 7 Kings who logged at least 20 minutes – Bozeman 41, Mark Caguioa 40, Dylan Ababou 27, Enrico Villanueva 24, Kerby Raymundo 22, Rico Maierhofer 21 and Rudy Hatfield 20, indicating a somewhat balanced distribution of playing time. Fourth, Villanueva grabbed 7 of Ginebra’s 18 offensive boards which created more possessions and delivered more field goal attempts, 74-63. And fifth, the Kings finished with 17 assists.

Coincidentally, Jaworski showed up with his 7 grandchildren – Renee, Ryder, Rys, Robbie, Rafael, Renzo and Rojan – and read his 7-page acceptance speech to climax the retirement ceremony. A highlight of the program was TV5’s Gerald (Prince of Ballad) Santos’ rendition of the Frank Sinatra song “Winners” (7 letters) which is Jaworski’s favorite. During a brief chat before the program started, Jaworski mentioned that when he played for the University of the East, the Red Warriors varsity captured 7 titles in four years. The number 7 isn’t just lucky for Jaworski, it’s almost magical.

Former Ginebra players who were on Jaworski’s team attended the retirement rites as guests. Bal David, Marlou Aquino, Pido Jarencio, Romy Mamaril, Wilmer Ong, Noli Locsin, Vince Hizon, Leo Isaac and Sonny Cabatu were introduced to the crowd. A no-show was Benny Cheng. In the VIP lounge after the ceremony, it was suggested to form a Jaworski All-Star team that would play goodwill games all over the country.

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Jaworski’s long-time friend Reli de Leon said the tribute wouldn’t have been possible without San Miguel Corp. president Ramon S. Ang’s all-out support. San Miguel Corp. sports director Noli Eala and De Leon hatched the idea of the jersey retirement and brought it up to Ang for approval. In Jaworski’s speech, Ang was cited as being “well-respected throughout many industries, because of his leadership qualities (as) a man of vision and brilliance … it is likewise noteworthy that the legacy of his organization is one of the largest prime movers of economic, socio, civic and other noble initiatives.”

The tribute included video messages from Jaworski’s backcourt teammate Francis Arnaiz and brother-in-law Sen. Ramon (Bong) Revilla Jr. He was awarded a plaque of appreciation by the PBA represented by Commissioner Chito Salud and a plaque of recognition by Ginebra San Miguel represented by president Bernie Marquez, vice president for marketing Nelson Elises and vice president and national sales manager Valentino Vega.

In his acceptance remarks, Jaworski thanked those who made a difference in his life and the list read like a who’s who in Philippine sports. He started off with his UE coach and mentor Baby Dalupan and went on to cite former Toyota coach Dante Silverio (who was present), Ambassador Danding Cojuangco and family, Leo Prieto, Danny Floro, Emerson Coseteng, Manolo Elizalde, Ignacio Gotao, Walter Euyang, Paeng Hechanova, Jose Syjuco, Eugenio Lopez, Tito Eduque, Pablo Carlos Jr., Kitchie Benedicto, the Ortega clan, Butch Syquia, Manolo Lopez, Ramoncito Campos, Andy Soriano, President Estrada, Fernando Poe Jr., Ber Navarro, Frankie Eizmendi, Jun Bernardino, Bert Lina, Lito Alvarez, Tony Concepcion, Kit Villaruz, Adolf Ferrer, Dr. Efren de los Santos, Juan Cutillas, Dr. Tyrone Reyes, Caloy Loyzaga, Lauro Mumar and members of media. The Big J made special mention of Honey Boy Palanca for appointing him playing coach of Ginebra San Miguel, Bobong Velez for his pioneering efforts in creating the PBA as a TV staple, Lito Puyat for the opportunity to represent the country in international competitions, including the 1968 Olympics and his father-in-law Sen. Ramon Revilla Sr. for his unwavering support through the good and bad times.

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Never forgetting those who stood by him through thick and thin, Jaworski recited a litany of names of those “who cried with me during our painful losses and who celebrated with me during our victorious championships.” Among them were Aling Luming, Mayalynn and Mom Belen, Gerald, Andrew, Hector, Mario, Gilly, Manny, Annie, Mommy Toyota, Jackie, Emmie, Vicky, Russell, Offie, Almers, Danny, Ed, Jun Dayo, Ben Perez and the Bartolome family. He expressed gratitude to his former coaches, teammates and staff including Mang Legaspi, Cudia, Jun, Turo and Rey. Jaworski interrupted his speech by walking over to wife Evelyn and giving her a kiss. He also thanked his children Ricci, Dodot, Ryan and Ron.

“Everything I am, everything I have achieved, has only become possible because of the graciousness and blessings of our loving God the Father,” he said. “I may be retiring my jersey but my passion for the sport and my love for the people shall forever remain foremost in my heart and soul.”

Jaworski also said that lessons learned from losses and failures are essential to one’s success. “While we must live by the adage that one must always be humble in victory and gracious in defeat, defeat or failure must be made temporary,” he said. “Work harder, dare to fail again but commit to reaching your goal and sooner or later, you will make it. Never say die – never.”

PHILSTAR

Meron pa ung points ni MC nung game nila against Petron diba 25.. 2+5=7

meron pa ........ un mga unsong heroes ng 4th QTR .........

ababou .......... 13pts, 2r, 1ast........ 1+3+2+1 = 7

rico m ............. 10 pts, 10r, 3ast, 2blks ...... 1+0+1+0+3+2 = 7

garrett_jax wrote:meron pa ........ un mga unsong heroes ng 4th QTR .........

ababou .......... 13pts, 2r, 1ast........ 1+3+2+1 = 7

rico m ............. 10 pts, 10r, 3ast, 2blks ...... 1+0+1+0+3+2 = 7

astig yan pre galing

meron pa caguioa surname is seven letter word

No comment! mahina ako sa Mathematics eh. haha... All I know is napakamagical nung gabi na yun lalo na sa lahat ng Jaworski and Ginebra fans all over the globe