New PBA Hall of Fame members recall playing days

The Triggerman, The Skywalker and The Old Reliable One took centerstage Friday night to become the newest members of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Hall of Fame. They took time out, thanking friends, supporters, former teammates and rivals then recalled precious memories that will surely last. Allan Caidic, Samboy Lim and Bobby Parks - together with Hector Calma and Ricky Brown - were enshrined in the PBA Hall of Fame joining 22 other players and personalities before them.

Caidic is the league’s record holder for most number of points in a single game with 79 and also set the most number of three-point shots made in a game with 17, breaking the 14 made by Jose Slaughters in 1987. Looking back, the 1990 most valuable player (MVP) believes his career was cut short by an offer he never expected to come by – being the new coach of a rebuilding Barangay Ginebra team in 2000, the same year when his rights was acquired by an expansion team Red Bull coached by Yeng Guiao. “I must admit, I was really having second thoughts whether to accept the coaching job or not. Deep down inside, I knew I can still play, but I don't want to leave the San Miguel Corporation and I can't say no to my bosses here so playing has to be sacrificed," Caidic told GMANews.TV. Lim was regarded as possibly one of the best players never to win the highest individual award – the MVP plum. Injuries riddled his playing career marred by spectacular highlight reels, pains and success. But the former Letran Knight also showed one thing – loyalty. He played for the Northenr Consolidated Corporation and San Miguel Beer, both under the control of businessman and sportsman Danding Cojuangco from the mid-80s until the late 90s. Lim was a class act. He was a member of the 1989 grandslam team of San Miguel Beer and became one of the biggest draws in the pro league at a time when it was struggling brought about by the disbandment of Crispa and Toyota. “All the hardships that we fought. All the championships that we've won and all the struggles we entered in only to achieve such goals are the things I will never forget," said Lim. And then, there was Bobby Parks – a seven-time PBA best import awardee. The former Memphis standout saw great imports play in the Asia's first play-for-pay hoops league, greats like Billy Ray Bates, Norman Black, David Thirdkill and Sean Chambers, but he was ready for the challenge and led a Shell squad anchored on two superstars – Benjie Paras and Ronnie Magsanoc – to championships in 1990 and 1992. But the feverish rivalry with Ginebra will certainly bring shivers to his spine every time Parks recalled their classic duels. “It was truly a classic," said Parks. "You might think you're going up against their legions of fans and they will hate you, but Filipino fans are the greatest crowd I've ever seen as they will appreciate all the things you've done even though you're the enemy," said Parks. “I will never forget those games against Ginebra as we were really challenged and we're more determined to battle them." – GMANews.TV