By REYNALD MAGALLON
PBA legend Vergel Meneses admitted he hasn’t been keeping tabs with the happenings in the league since his retirement almost two decades ago but there is one player that is reminding him of his heydays.
Although he hardly remembered the name and needed some assistance from the members of the press, Meneses was certain on who he is pertaining to when asked about the current PBA player who he felt played exactly the same as him.
“May isa akong player na nakita na medyo hawig sa kilos natin. Yung sa Rain or Shine,” said Meneses, who after hearing the name of Nocum from the press, replied in affirmative.
“Ayun si Nocum,“ he added.
Adrian Nocum, like Meneses during his time, has thrilled the fans with his fancy and acrobatic layups especially in transition.
Fans were even quick to edit clips of Nocum and compare it to that of players from the past with similar play styles like Meneses and Samboy Lim.
“Siyempre natutuwa rin ako. Ang tagal nang panahon, 2006 nung nag retire ako. But through social media, may mga gumagawa ng highlights natin, hindi lang ako, pero pati rin yung ibang dating players,” said Meneses now the mayor of Bulakan, Bulacan.
The three-time Best Player of the Conference awardee, four-time All Star MVP, a 10-time All-Star, and two-time member of the Mythical First Team was of the many PBA greats and legends that graced the league 50th Season opening ceremony at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Some players who also joined Meneses in the ceremony were Ramon Fernandez, Johnny Abarrientos, Allan Caidic, Bong Hawkins, Jojo Lastimosa, Jeff Cariaso, Alvin Patrimonio.
