Caidic pushing for return of PBA Hall of Fame

PBA legend Allan Caidic is pushing to have the induction of players into the Hall of Fame as an annual event. PBA legend Allan Caidic is pushing to have the induction of players into the Hall of Fame as an annual event. Knowing full well that not all of the great players can make it to the exclusive greatest list, Caidic said having the Hall of Fame would allow the league to also honor those who have had decorated careers and made significant impact to the growth of the league and the sport.

“I’m pushing na mabalik ang Hall of Fame, dapat iyon ang maging constant kasi whoever yung mga hindi nakasama before sa 25 na tingin natin na kinapos dun sa criteria dun natin ilagay,” said Caidic during the unveiling of the new PBA logo for its 50th anniversary celebration on Monday, Feb. 10, at the TV5 Launchpad in Mandaluyong. “Hanggang sa maging yearly event na yung Hall of Fame award kasi iyon unlimited yon kasi.



Pag sinabi mong 50 greatest kasi ibig sabihin the cream of the crop na naglaro sa PBA. Pagsinabi mong Hall of Fame, kasama na yung fame and everything so may difference iyon,” added the 1990 PBA Most Valuable Player. Caidic’s comments came in anticipation to the potential reactions from fans and basketball enthusiasts once the selection committee, which is chaired by former commissioner Sonny Barrios and also included other PBA legends Ramon Fernandez and Atoy Co, decides on the 10 players to be added to the ‘Greatest List'.

The five-time PBA champion said that even if the selection committee tries to be as objective as possible, the list could still be met with criticisms and negative reactions. “We want to make it to be objective and hindi subjective ang pagpili very careful kami,” said Caidic, adding that the committee is still set to tackle the guidelines for the selection on their next meeting. “We cannot please everyone pero one of the things na nabanggit ko dun is (return of the Hall of Fame) kasi hindi naman talaga natin mapagsasama-sama, kahit na bet nyo or kanino pa, kasi may kanya-kanyang (gusto) pa rin naman niyan sa 50 eh,” furthered the PBA legend.

The PBA began inducting players to the Hall of Fame back in 2005 when it named the first 12 members of the group – led by Robert Jaworski along with Fernandez and Co as well as legendary coach Baby Dalupan. The Hall of Fame became a biennial affair since then – Caidic also became a part of it in 2009 – until 2013. A lean group of Benjie Paras, Ronnie Magsanoc, Lim Eng Beng and coach Ed Ocampo were the last to be inducted to the exclusive club.

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