The Bull was the real deal.
Let’s get this out of the way: Nelson Asaytono is a seven-time PBA champion, a seven-time Mythical Team member, a two-time Best Player of the Conference awardee, a 10-time All-Star, a scoring champion, and one of the most athletically gifted players in PBA history.
Well, despite all that, he was snubbed in the PBA 40 Greatest Players list released in 2015. For what it’s worth, Asaytono has an ally in three former PBA players.
Jayjay Helterbrand, Rico Maierhofer, and Jerwin Gaco all agreed that the Bull should've been included in the PBA’s 40th anniversary team.
Helterbrand started things off by practically saying that Asaytono was a human highlight reel.
“’Pag hindi niyo pa nakita maglaro si Nelson, watch his highlights on YouTube, grabe,” the 2009 PBA MVP said on the PBA Motoclub’s vlog uploaded on Wednesday.
“Hindi ko makakalimutan, dinakdakan niya si Boss Kap (Alvin Patrimonio) harapan. Kung gaano kalaki ang kamay ni James Yap, ganun din kalaki ang kamay ni Nelson Asaytono,” Gaco added.
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As the group delved deeper into Asaytono’s legendary career, Maierhofer boldly put the explosive forward on the same air as the 1995 PBA MVP who was also known for his high-wire acts.
“Nasa level din siya dapat ni Vergel Meneses," said the 2010 PBA Rookie of the Year. "Tuwing magkalaban sila, sila ‘yung matchup.”
Maierhofer also revealed that Asaytono himself is quite disheartened about getting scratched off the PBA’s Top 40 list.
“Kasi nakasama natin ‘yan si Nelson (sa PBA Motoclub). Alam ko frustrated din siya kung bakit hindi siya sinama,” he said.
To make the discussion interesting, Maierhofer suggested taking someone off the list to make space for Asaytono. He came up with a super hot take as he axed a 1977 MVP and 16-time PBA champ, although he didn't expound on his reason.
“’Yung tatay ni (Paulo) Hubalde,” Maierhofer blurted, causing the room to burst into laughter. “Freddie Hubalde. Sorry, Pau. Pero ‘yun ‘yung pipilliin ko.”
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Helterbrand, on the other hand, tried to douse the fire and took one for the team.
“Ako na, ako na, sacrifice ako. Alam mo kung bakit? Lahat kasi deserving, whoever’s in this list,” the former Barangay Ginebra San Miguel superstar said.
That's an MVP move right there.
For his part, Gaco selected Manny Paner, just because he said he never got to see PBA Hall of Famer play.
Someday, The Bull's time will come. Perhaps two years from now, if the PBA puts together its 50 Greatest Players list.
(PM)