Philippine basketball legend Johnny Abarrientos, a member of the PBA’s Greatest Players, during the league’s golden anniversary celebration.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Johnny Abarrientos happily walked inside Solaire North in Quezon City for the PBA’s 50th Anniversary Gala Night on Friday.

And why wouldn’t he be ecstatic? After all, his longtime teammates Jeff Cariaso and Bong Hawkins joined him on the list of the league’s Greatest Players.

READ: Jeffrey Cariaso ‘deeply honored’ to be part of PBA Greatest

Abarrientos, who has been a member of the PBA Greatest since its first iteration in 2000, was quite surprised to see Hawkins and Cariaso be included on the list just now although he didn’t see them as “late” additions and certainly believes both deserve to be part of the prestigious club.

“For me, I don’t think it’s late because personally, there are others who could’ve been included earlier but this is the perfect time for them (Cariaso and Hawkins) to join the greatest [list],” said Abarrientos.

“We’re grateful because so many trusted in what we worked hard for. Not everyone has a chance to get in and the criteria to be chosen isn’t easy… it took a while but the long wait is over.”

READ: Cariaso names who he wants to see on future PBA Greatest list

Cariaso and Hawkins were instrumental in helping Alaska pull off a rare Grand Slam in 1996 with Abarrientos leading the charge.

“Individually, all of us had a share in that prestigious Grand Slam, all of us. We play on both ends and that’s the one thing that made us and them special,” said Abarrientos.

“It was hard [at the time] to find players who can play hard on both ends of the floor.”

Cariaso and Hawkins’ inclusion makes it four players from Alaska’s Grand Slam team now part of the Greatest Players list that also has Jojo Lastimosa, who is an original member like Abarrientos.