The PBA’s ‘most’

It’s playoff season, and the PBA will soon be handing out awards. However, there are some distinctive accomplishments that fans have been writing this column about, and they aren’t covered by the usual list of accolades handed out at the end of regular tournaments.

Some fans are wondering about specific dimensions of players, other accomplishments, and records pertaining to longevity. Well, we’ve done our best to compile a list of the PBA’s "most" in as many categories as we can. So here goes.

The heaviest player in the PBA is also its tallest, E.J. Feihl. The journeyman center (who was even a journeyman in college) tips the scales at a whopping 290 pounds. For comparison, Bal David of the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings weighs a scrawny 150 lbs, bone-dry. He shares this measure with FedEx’s creative point guard, Egay Billiones. Put them together, and you’ll have one E.J. Feihl.

David may be light as a feather, but he’s still not the smallest player in the PBA today. That distinction belongs to former Far Eastern University and former Triple-V and Crispa point guard Johnny Abarrientos. Coca-Cola’s tiniest Tiger measures at a mere 5-8, and that may be stretching it a bit.

Women have e-mailed me with a strange fascination for shoe size. I don’t know if it relates to other appendages, but the man with the biggest feet, the Bob Lanier of the PBA is Chris Bolado. The 6-7 behemoth sports a size 16, but he’s not alone. Billy Mamaril, Kerby Raymundo, Andy Seigle and Frederick Canlas all share the same size. This simply means that, if you value your life, you will stay away from the Purefoods Hotdogs during a stampede. Getting stepped on by these gentlemen is a likelihood that is also hazardous to your health.

And speaking of Bolado, the league’s most-travelled player has suited up for seven different franchises throughout his career, which means he has managed to stay employed during the worst economic times. What is his secret? He is also the world’s largest rabbit’s foot, four-leaf clover and horseshoe. He has been part of championship runs of six different ballclubs, so his place in the line-up is usually assured. Talk about luck.

Other numbers I’ve often been asked about are players’ numbers. Although we plan a separate piece on why players chose certain numbers, we will tell you this: the highest possible official number on a basketball uniform is obviously 99. That number is worn by Coca-Cola’s Rudy Hatfield and Talk ‘N Text’s Jonathan de Guzman. De Guzman already wore this number with the Pasig-Rizal Pirates in the MBA, where he was first coached by Joel Banal. The lowest possible number is 00, belonging to Banal’s rookie Kahi Villa. Maybe he’s hoping Boston Celtics great Robert Parish’s luck will rub off on him.

On to the subject of age, a touchy subject at best. The oldest player in the PBA today is Shell’s Chris Jackson. The defensive specialist is listed at 37 years and five months old. As a testament to his sturdiness, he could be the father of the league’s youngest player, his teammate, Ronald Tubid, who’s all of 21 years and eight months old. Put it this way, the former University of the East Warrior is so young, the last time Crispa and Toyota played, he had just been born.

On the sidelines, the youngest coach is Ryan Gregorio. The boyish UP Maroon just passed 30, and already has a championship under his belt. And who would believe that Tim Cone, the author of Alaska’s dynasties, is 45 and a half years old? It seems like only yesterday when Tim took over the General Milling franchise, patiently adapted Tex Winter’s triangle offense, and built a champion team. Tim now finds himself the most senior mentor in the league.

The league’s multiple awardee for outstanding referee is, not suprisingly, its most experienced. Ernie de Leon patrols the floor with competence, proud of his being 55 and a half years old. On the other hand, his boss, dynamic rookie commissioner Noli Eala, is just pushing 40. Such is the cycle of life.

Speaking of age, Alvin Patrimonio is definitely a player for the ages.

When this writer christened him The Captain, I didn’t think he would steer his entire career with such excellence and integrity. Alvin, the only other surviving member of batch 1988 (he joined Purefoods midway in the 1988 season, a few months after his only active batchmate, FedEx’s Jerry Codiñera) has set a string of records that may stand the test of time.

First off, Patrimonio has tallied the most All-Star Game appearances with 12, from 1989 to 2001. (Vergel Meneses has the most All-Star Game MVP’s, 4.) Alvin is also closing in on 820 games, the most for any active player. He also shares the record for most Most Valuable Player Awards with his one-time teammate Mon Fernandez. They have four apiece. And speaking of El Presidente, he tallied 18,996 career points, a record Patrimonio may have trouble catching. Purefoods’ leader is hovering around the 15,000-point mark, but only has a year and a half left on his playing contract.

More numbers from the PBA in a succeeding column.

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Catch The PBL Finals, Jimmy Alapag, our NCAA primer, Binky and Ella Favis, the Cebu Basketball Federation, and Kenny Evans on this week’s episode of The Basketball Show at 4 p.m. over IBC-13. You may reach us through [email protected] or [email protected].