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Fans chant "Ja-wor-ski!" one more time

“Ja-wor-ski, Ja-wor-ski, Ja-wor-ski!”

That familiar thundering roar reverberated through the Smart-Araneta Coliseum one last time as Robert “Sonny” Jaworski made his way to the podium before a mammoth crowd, many of whom were clad in various versions of his famed #7 jersey.

“Sinira n’yo pagka-macho ko. Naiyak ako,” said a teary-eyed Jaworski, 66, during a colorful retirement ceremony Sunday night attended by his family along his former Ginebra teammates and the pro league brass.

Fondly called as “The Living Legend,” Jaworski, who played 15 of his 23 seasons in the league with Ginebra, winning four championship titles as playing coach, shared center stage with wife Evelyn along with sons Dodot, Ryan and Joy.

Dante Silverio, Jaworki’s first-ever coach when he started his pro career with Toyota in 1975, also lent his prestige along with PBA commissioner Chito Salud and other Board of Governors led by chairman Mamerto Mondragon of Rain or Shine.

Also gracing the emotional event that drew more than 15,000 fans were former Gin Kings Noli Locsin, Bal David, Vince Hizon, Leo Isaac, Marlou Aquino, Romulo Mamaril, Sonny Cabatu, Pido Jarencio and Wilmer Ong.

A replica banner of Jaworki’s Ginebra jersey was shown in the rafters to the delight of the cheering fans.

"Isang napakalaking karangalan ang ibinigay sa akin ngayon," said Jaworski.
"Although you may not see me most of the times in tournaments, my heart was there. I still watch the games intently and try and still continue to learn how to best play the game.

Though the wait was prolonged, it proved to be worth it for Jaworski, who was named the league MVP in 1978.

“Defeat or failure must be made temporary kahit na po ano ka. Barbero or mekaniko ka. You have to dream. Never say die. Never,” was one of the most captivating messages Jaworski conveyed in his 20-plus-minute speech.

“My passion for the sport and love for the people will forever remain in my heart," concluded Jaworski.
In honor of the franchise’s biggest hero, the current Ginebra team wore retro jerseys, circa 1985-86, with this generation’s star Gin King Mark Caguioa posing in a fist-bump with Jaworski.
 
Warm Messages
Jaworski’s former colleagues and players all had fond memories of the Living Legend.
 
“He always stops to talk to the fans. He truly loved them,” stated Francis Arnaiz, who shared backcourt chores with Jaworski in Toyota, in a recorded video in his residence at Sacramento, California. “We’re always been friends. He’s a person who’s a phone away. I know there are things in the future you can still do and my message to you is, 'Just do it.’”

Sen. Bong Revilla, Jaworski’s brother-in-law, also showered praises for the man known as the “Big J,” saying: “Napakalaki ng kontribusyon mo hindi lang sa palakasan kundi sa bayan. Isa kang inspirasyon sa nakararami lalo sa mga kabataan.”

“Kung sa Amerika may Michael Jordan, sa Pilipinas may Robert Jaworski,” added Revilla.

“I speak for the PBA family when I say words could not capture the love, gratitude and respect we have for you... because of the drama, thrill and excitement you gifted us game after game," noted Salud. “You really played the game as it should.”

Dodot Jaworski, who also played for his father in Ginebra, said: "He's an inspiration to our family and to many others in our country. It was because of the fans that Jaworski never gave up.”

Hizon, the flamboyant shooter for the Ginebra in the 90s, also expressed his gratitude to his coach/teammate, saying: “He gave me the chance when the others doubted on me. He believed in me and he really brought the best from each of us.”

“Masarap kasama at nakakatuwa,” was how Locsin described Jaworski.

Cabatu said when he first joined the Ginebra camp, he was a little stunned when told they had to run around the ULTRA track oval 15 times as part of their conditioning routine. But he forced himself to do it after seeing his playing coach, by then already well into his forties, completing the 15 laps easily.

Mon Fernandez, Jaworski’s former Toyota teammate and great rival, spoke of the Big J’s dedication to the sport in a telephone interview from Cebu where he now resides. “I have never seen anyone discipline himself to the hilt like Sonny Jaworski,” said Fernandez, who feuded with Jaworski in the mid-80s after Toyota disbanded.