THE nation is barely done commemorating the Philippine Independence Day. And suddenly, the number of imports that should be featured in the PBA is an issue.
Nationalism. Patriotism. The beauty of more than one import. One special conference in 1998 had doses, ounces and touches of these - the PBA Centennial Cup.
In the run-up to the Philippine Centennial Team's campaign in the Bangkok Asian Games, the PBA put up the Centennial Cup, a short tourney where the Nationals were ranged against the PBA squads reinforced by two imports.
Mobiline, bannered by Silas Mills and Tee McClary, beat out Shell - beefed up by John Best and Donald Williams - in an overtime classic, 67-66, to hand the franchise its first title in the league.
Eric Altamirano was the winning coach, a year after bagging the All-Filipino crown for Purefoods, beating Gordon's Gin in the finale.
Sponsored content: Meanwhile, the Nationals were good for just one win against seven losses, but their Centennial Cup stint proved to be helpful as they subsequently took the bronze medal in the Bangkok Asiad.
Jojo Lastimosa saved his best for last, proving to be the man of the hour as they beat Kazakhstan in the fight for third.
Allan Caidic, in his fourth Asiad stint after earlier journeys in Seoul in 1986, Beijing in 1990 and Hiroshima in 1994, was the most senior player in the team that included Alvin Patrimonio, Marlou Aquino, Dennis Espino, Jun Limpot, Vergel Meneses, Kenneth Duremdes, Johnny Abarrientos, Olsen Racela, EJ Feihl and Andy Seigle. The final cut and serving as reserve was Jeff Cariaso.
Coach Tim Cone and his Centennial Team was the last Phl squad to make a podium finish in the quadrennial meet.(SB)
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