Big J in finals shadows

There is a strong sense of nostalgia behind the PBA Governors Cup finals between Barangay Ginebra and Meralco because Philippine basketball’s Living Legend has roots in both teams.

Robert Jaworski, 73, moved from YCO to Meralco in 1968 but didn’t suit up for the Reddy Kilowatts, as the club’s players were known, until his release papers were in order in 1970. He received his first MVP award during the Presidential Cup in his debut season with Meralco and the next year, led the Kilowatts to the Manila Industrial and Commercial Athletic Association (MICAA) Open title. MICAA was the PBA’s precursor. Later that same year, Jaworski and teammate Big Boy Reynoso were banned for life by the BAP (Basketball Association of the Philippines) for assaulting referees Ting Cruz and Joe Obias with Meralco behind, 65-50, in a MICAA game against Crispa. The ban disallowed Jaworski from representing the country in the 1972 Olympics. 

Jaworski and Reynoso were reinstated in 1973, playing for Meralco in a farewell game against the visiting Japanese national squad. The Kilowatts were then disbanded and reemerged as the Bolts when Meralco bought the Sta. Lucia Realty franchise to join the PBA in 2010.

From Meralco, Jaworski played for Komatsu/Toyota in the MICAA and eventually in the PBA in 1975. When Toyota sold its PBA franchise in 1983, Jaworski was picked up by La Tondeña which owned the Gilbey’s Gin team later renamed Ginebra. It was with Ginebra where Jaworski became a cult hero, popularizing the slogan “Never Say Die” first as a player and finally, as a coach. The Big J played his last PBA game at the age of 50 in 1997 and coached Ginebra to four championships.

Reminiscing his years on the court, Jaworski said he will always cherish his Olympic experience in 1968. “The Olympics are probably the most followed event in the world,” he said in the book “The 50 Greatest Filipino Athletes of All Time.” “The Olympics are even older than the United Nations. To appreciate the significance of sports, we must learn about its history. For me, sports is essential in a country’s history. Remember the ping-pong diplomacy and before that, the basketball diplomacy? Remember how it was when (Max) Schmeling and (Joe) Louis fought in the ring? How they brought honor to their countries. That’s why when an athlete is given an opportunity to play for the national team, grab it. It will mean a lot of sacrifice and hard work but representing your country is an honor.”

Jaworski was involved in two Olympic qualifiers. “First, we qualified for the 1968 Olympics by winning the ABC (Asian Basketball Confederation, now FIBA Asia) title in Seoul in 1967,” he recalled. “Then, we qualified for the 1972 Olympics by finishing second in the ABC in Tokyo. Unfortunately, Big Boy and I were suspended right after the ABC during a MICAA game for Meralco and I couldn’t play at the Munich Olympics where I would’ve been team captain. I was back to play for our country at the 1973 ABC, the qualifier for the 1974 FIBA World Cup and we won. So I was 3-for-3 in qualifying for two Olympics and one World Cup.”

Jaworski said he still fantasizes about playing in the Olympics. “It’s every athlete’s dream,” he said. “Sometimes, I wonder if I could’ve played golf instead. But if it’s hard to shoot a basketball inside a big hoop, what more hitting a golf ball inside a small hole? I would’ve loved to play in another Olympics but the PBA started in 1975 and at that time, pros were not allowed to play in the Olympics.”

No doubt, Jaworski will be an inspiration for Meralco and Ginebra when they battle for the Governors Cup title starting Tuesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. While the Big J has long been identified with Ginebra, his Meralco background in the MICAA also has a special place in Philippine basketball history. As both teams try to outdo each other in the finals, the Jaworski spirit of “Never Say Die” will loom large in the championship landscape, whether for Ginebra or Meralco.