With the implementation of the Senior High School Program during the President Noynoy Aquino’s administration, rookies who enter the PBA are older than they normally were.
There have been a bevy of records broken almost five years since the PBA’s inception in 1975.
While the league immortalized 50 names by way of naming the 50 Greatest players on Wednesday, April 2, one milestone has remain untouched.
PBA legend Benjie Paras has remained the only player to win an Rookie-Most Valuable Player plum.
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In an illustrious career spanning 14 years, Paras was a four-time PBA champion and a two-time MVP winner playing for Shell and San Miguel.
He made a career out of acting and being a comic on TV after that.
Just moments after the league revealed the 10 additional names in the exclusive club which included Nelson Asaytono, Jeffrey Cariaso, June Mar Fajardo, Scottie Thompson, Arnie Tuadles, and Bong Hawkins, Paras was naturally asked about the Rookie-MVP award.
“Siguro for me kasi getting that award, ano to eh, being in right place at the right time, right team,” said Paras.
“Sakin lang naka-focus 'yung offense aside from Bobby Parks.”
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But with implementation of the Senior High School program under the President Noynoy Aquino’s administration, rookies that come into the league are becoming older. Some of them have also flexed their muscles in various circuits before declaring for the PBA draft.
That being said, Paras believes someone duplicating his feat is only a matter of time.
“Well yes (may chance ma-break itong achievement ko). Ano lang naman lagi ko sinasabi, tao lang ako. And records are meant to be broken so we never know,” he said.
Paras will be one happy legend when that happens.
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