PBA GREATEST INDUCTEE MANNY VICTORINO LEFT IN AWE OF JUNE MAR

ONCE considered among the elite centers in PBA, Manny Victorino can’t help but be awed by the player he’s supposed to match up with if he’s still active these days.

Now 66 and just recently welcomed as part of the PBA’s 50 Greatest Players, Victorino believes no local player can stop June Mar Fajardo the way he’s been a dominant force in Asia’s pioneering pro league these days.

"Sa laro ni June Mar, hindi ito kaya ng isang tao. Kailangan dito, triple or double team ang gagawin dito," said the now US-based big man.

 "Tsaka dapat pag-aaralan mong maigi. Mahihirapan (yung babantay)."

Victorino was part of the last batch of 10 players inducted to the PBA’s Greatest’ list just before the Holy Week, which also included the 35-year-old Fajardo, one of only two active players in the group along with fellow MVP Scottie Thompson.

The former Jose Rizal University stalwart became an instant fan of the 6-foot-10 Cebuano cager of San Miguel as they get to meet during the gala night at the grand ballroom of the Solaire Resort North.

"Ang galing maglaro nito. Walang makakapigil dito. Ilang MVPs na ba, walo? O, parating pa yung siyam," Victorino said.

"Nanliit nga ako, e. 6-foot-5 na ako, nung tumabi ako nanliit ako, e."

Victorino though, was a dominant force in his own right during his time in the PBA.

Winner of six championships playing for Great Taste and Purefoods in a career that spanned from 1981-1996, Victorino was considered the third best center back in the days when four-time MVP Ramon Fernandez and two-time MVP Abet Guidaben were the barometer as far as big men were concerned.

The Most Improved Player in 1984 and a Mythical Five Member from 1984-86, he was so good that the league hierarchy once handed down a ruling disallowing him, Fernandez, and Guidaben from playing together in a single team.

A five-time All-Star, he also had stints with Formula Shell, Pepsi, Ginebra San Miguel, and finally with Sunkist in 1996.

In 15 seasons, he played for a total of 713 games and averaged 13.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.1 block shots.

Despite those glowing credentials, Victorino can’t keep himself from admiring Fajardo.

"Nakita ko siyang kumilos, talagang napakalakas ng katawan especially pag andun siya sa ilalim, tatalon pa yan and may power, mahihirapan ka talaga. Hindi siya ganun kadali bantayan," he added.

"Kailangan bago mo ito bantayan pumunta ka muna ng simbahan, magdasal ka kung paano babantayan."

2025-04-21T14:09:00Z