Bong Hawkins is among the 10 names added to the exclusive club of the greatest players the league has seen in the past five decades.
Bong Hawkins was on cloud nine as the PBA immortalized his name by including him in the 50 Greatest Players list.
His inclusion did not come as a surprise for many.
After all, he was an eight-time champion, a Finals Most Valuable Player and Most Improved Player, among others.
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Bong Hawkins and Alfrancis Chua | Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports
“We feel honored na nakasama kami sa grupo na 'to. Pero sabi ni Nelson (Asaytono), dapat dati pa,” Hawkins told several reporters at the Solaire North Grand Ballroom Friday, April 11.
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Hawkins joined the Alaska core that won a Grand Slam in 1996 — Johnny Abarrientos, Jojo Lastimosa and Jeff Cariaso — in the exclusive club.
He could not help but feel honored.
“Masaya, siyempre. 'Yong core ng Grand Slam, nandito kaming lahat,” Hawkins said.