Of all of the gamers added to the listing of the Philippine Basketball Affiliation’s biggest stars, nobody’s wait was extra puzzling than Nelson Asaytono.

“There isn’t a doubt that he’s deserving,” former league commissioner Sonny Barrios, who chairs the choice committee tasked so as to add 10 extra names to convey the variety of members within the PBA Biggest listing to 50 consistent with the league’s golden anniversary.

The committee accomplished that listing on Wednesday, with the person they known as “The Bull” getting the overwhelming nod of the selectors, who introduced the identify in a televised occasion.

READ: PBA to assist recovering legend Nelson Asaytono after coronary heart assault

Snubbed through the first 25 inducted in 2000, Asaytono was additionally left off the 15-player listing added for the league’s fortieth anniversary in 2015.

In a approach, the late inclusion mirrored Asaytono’s profession.

Asaytono was a part of a proficient Draft class of 1989 that included Rookie of the 12 months-Most Beneficial Participant Benjie Paras and was chosen by the Purefoods franchise.

His 17-year profession was highlighted by championships with the defunct Swift/Sunkist franchise, together with a close to Grand Slam in 1995. In 1996, he turned the focus of San Miguel Beer’s offense below the late nice coach Ron Jacobs, who reworked the 6-foot-5 ahead right into a wrecking ball on offense.

Missed MVP

NELSON ASAYTONO.

9 na lang ang aantayin! #PBA50 #PBA50Greatest pic.twitter.com/JRPqmtg63h

— PBA (@pbaconnect) April 2, 2025

However regardless of his success, particular person accolades got here in trickles. An MVP award eluded him and his stint with the Beermen did not convey house a championship trophy.

By the point the PBA expanded its Biggest listing to 40 a decade in the past, Asaytono remained the one member of the ten,000-point group who had but to be enshrined.

In a approach, correcting snubs gave the impression to be the theme of Wednesday night time’s unveiling.

Abe King, a member of the fabled Toyota squad who was often called the “Chairman of the Board” in his prime, and Arnie Tuadles, the 1979 Rookie of the 12 months, had been a part of the 10-man listing revealed by the choice committee. Yoyoy Villamin and Manny Victorino, large males who had alternative ways of scoring down low, had been additionally on the listing.

Asaytono’s different rivals from the Nineties and 2000s had been additionally named: Bong Hawkins and Jeffrey Cariaso of the 1996 Alaska Grand Slam staff fame and San Miguel’s scoring dynamo Danny Seigle.

Solely two lively gamers had been included on this addition to the elite group, the fewest in three enshrinements.

San Miguel’s June Mar Fajardo and Barangay Ginebra’s Scottie Thompson had been named to the listing by advantage of being previous MVP winners. Fajardo is the league’s eight-time MVP, whereas Thompson gained it in 2022.

The 25 Biggest listing, introduced in 2000, had six lively gamers on the listing, whereas the 15 added for the 40 Biggest in 2015 had seven lively gamers.

The announcement got here precisely per week earlier than the fiftieth birthday of the league, which began on April 9, 1975 at Araneta Coliseum.

For subsequent week’s celebration, the PBA will play a doubleheader at considered one of its previous stomping grounds within the historic Rizal Memorial Coliseum, with Magnolia and Converge taking part in the opener earlier than Meralco and San Miguel Beer take the courtroom sporting retro uniforms.

The formal celebrations are set two nights later with a gala occasion that includes the introduction of the 50 Biggest.