Jersey retirement debate

It can be a murky, subjective matter to decide whose PBA jersey should be retired, and by whom. Of course, there is general consensus that Gabe Norwood truly deserved to have his number set aside by Rain or Shine, no doubt about that. But in general, how do we decide who is worthy? What should be the protocol in honoring those who have come before?

On our radio program “Hardball with Bill Velasco” over DWAN 1206 AM, we explored this matter with Sid Ventura, chief of editorial content for The GAME Magazine. As usual, Sid had a lot of interesting insights as to what the criteria should be for the league (or a team) to decide who deserves their own ceremony.

“I looked up the list of players whose jerseys have been retired by the PBA,” said Sid, the former editor of ESPN Philippines. “I found there were 30; 27 officially, because there are three that were not officially retired but are not being used by San Miguel Beer: the numbers of Samboy Lim (9), Hector Calma (14) and Yves Dignadice.”

We agreed that a player must have played for one particular team for a lengthy period of time, at least a decade or so, and must have contributed mightily to that team’s success, or any team he would end up with. That consistent excellence would be a major factor. Conversely, misbehavior inside and outside the court would be a big no-no.

“No. 1, he should have represented his franchise with honor and dignity,” Sid adds. “Brought accolades to the franchise, and stayed with that franchise for a considerable number of years, winning a championship or two is also a must for me.”

The NBA retired the No. 6 worn by Bill Russell league-wide in 2022, a monumental tribute to the winningest team player of all time. Should the PBA do the same, only one name seems to be worthy, the pioneer who is the logo of the league.

“Jaworski, definitely,” Ventura assured. “He may not be the greatest player, but he is the most important player.”

Also, the Los Angeles Lakers retired both Nos. 8 and 24 for Kobe Bryant, in honor of both his tenure and excellence with the team. In the Philippines, though several pros changed numbers as they changed teams in the last 50 years, there is one at the top of the heap: Ramon Fernandez. Though Toyota no longer has a basketball team, historically, he should go first.

“Fernandez, 10 and 19,” Ventura concurs. “He won championships wearing both numbers, and MVPs. And Abet Guidaben. He was kind of underrated for me. But Mon Fernandez would be at the top for me.”

Who do you believe should have his jersey number retired by his team, or the PBA itself?

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