PBA Controversy: Ginebra legend shocking suggestion to put Asaytono to the PBA 40 Greatest Players list!

 

Nelson Asaytono's impressive basketball resume, including his seven PBA championships and numerous accolades, made his exclusion from the PBA 40 Greatest Players list in 2015 a notable point of contention. Former PBA players Jayjay Helterbrand, Rico Maierhofer, and Jerwin Gaco rallied behind Asaytono, expressing their shared belief that he deserved a spot on the prestigious roster.

Helterbrand, in particular, emphasized Asaytono's incredible skills, calling him a "human highlight reel," while Gaco reminisced about his remarkable showdowns with prominent figures like Alvin Patrimonio. Maierhofer even boldly equated Asaytono's stature with that of the esteemed Vergel Meneses, suggesting they were on the same playing level and frequently matched up against each other during games.

Amid the passionate discussion, Maierhofer shed light on Asaytono's disappointment at being left off the list, revealing the Bull's frustrations during their conversations within the PBA Motoclub. To add an intriguing twist to the conversation, Maierhofer proposed removing a seasoned player from the list, mentioning 1977 MVP and 16-time PBA champion Freddie Hubalde as a potential candidate, albeit in a humorous manner.

In the spirit of sportsmanship, Helterbrand gallantly stepped in to ease tensions, expressing his readiness to sacrifice his spot on the list, underlining that each player included was undeniably deserving. Additionally, Gaco playfully nominated Manny Paner for removal, citing his lack of firsthand experience watching the PBA Hall of Famer play. Despite Asaytono's exclusion from the esteemed roster, the hope remains that his time will eventually come, possibly in the upcoming PBA 50 Greatest Players list in the future.