VIRGILIO “Gil” Cortez was a hard-working 6-4 forward-center for the legendary Toyota Comets (later Tamaraws) during the early days of the PBA.

He was a steady presence who provided support to Toyota’s star-studded lineup that included Hall of Famers Robert Jaworski, Ramon Fernandez, Francis Arnaiz and Rodolfo “Ompong” Segura.

And although he played only five seasons in Asia’s first play-for-pay league, Cortez made history by becoming the league’s first-ever “Rookie of the Year” awardee in 1976.

On Saturday, Cortez did something that further endeared him to the basketball community, especially the still loyal Toyota fans: He brought together legendary PBA coach and Toyota owner Dante Silverio and most of his former Toyota teammates for a whole night of fun and nostalgia at the Gaslight Alfresco Lounge along Don Chino Roces Ave. in Makati.

Aptly titled “Toyota 50th Anniversary Reunion”, the mostly 70-year-old players came out of their retirement homes to relive the glory days of one of the league’s greatest franchises.

Fernandez, “El Presidente” himself and still widely considered as the greatest basketball player in this side of the universe, was there.

A four-time MVP and the PBA’s all-time leading scorer, Fernandez was easily the biggest star of the night.

Segura, one of the lead stars brought to Fort Bonifacio for their roles in the memorable Toyota-Crispa brawl in 1976, was there, too.

Oscar Rocha, one of the original “Bad Boys” in Philippine basketball, also came to talk about the good old days when basketball is still a tough man’s game.

And so did Emer Legaspi, Ed Cordero, Pol Herrera, Ulysses Rodriguez and brother Arlene Rodriguez, Ed Camus, Roberto “Judge” Concepcion, and Joseph Galonga.

Pasig City Vice Mayor Dodot Jaworski represented his father Robert Jaworski

Toffer, the son of Big Boy Reynoso, and Carlos Bauzon, the son of the late Orly Bauzon, were also present.

And of course, Silverio, whose coaching genius rivals only that of the late Great Virgilio “Baby” Dalupan, was.present to lead the boys.

Cortez said that Fernandez recently visited the United States to meet with former teammates Francis Arnaiz, Abe King and Ricky Relosa for a rare get-together.

That provided the inspiration to Cortez to push thru with the plan to hold the grand gathering of Comets.

“We’re very happy to finally hold this Toyota reunion and meet our former coach, Dannte Silverio, and old teammates again,”said Cortez, who now serves as one of the regional officials of the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas.

“Matagal na itong plano. We’ve been trying to organize it for years. The closest one we had was a zoom reunion on Rick Olivares’ podcast in 2021.”

“And now that we have done it, madami pa sigurado itong kasunod,” claimed the Pampanga-based basketball legend, who is also hoping to meet former teammates Arnaiz, King and Relosa in future get-togethers.

Cortez said former Toyota stars Danny Florencio, Fort Acuña, Arnie Tuadles, and Terry Saldaña, who have already passed away, were sorely missed.

Cortez said he is now talking to another former PBA superstar, Fortunato “Atoy” Co for the next big event: a Toyota-Crispa reunion.

“Atoy and I are discussing it. He’ll invite some of his former Crispa teammates and I’ll bring some of my former Toyota teammates. If we can’t play against each other again, we’ll just share stories of our good old days. That will be fun.”

Co and fellow Crispa greats Bogs Adornado, Abet Guidaben, Philip Cezar, Freddie Hubalde, Bernie Fabiosa and Padim Israel should be there.

Cortez said a reunion of Yco-Tanduay players is also in the planning stage with former Sen. Freddie Webb as lead organizer.

“Freddie and I actually first talked about this reunion. We both wanted it last November para sabay sa birthday namin. Now I know there’s also a plan for a reunion of Yco-Tanduay players, too.”

It would be real nice to see all these Filipino basketball greats together again, especially in 2023 when the Philippines plays host to the FIBA World Cup scheduled Aug. 25-Sept. 10.

NOTES — Congratulations to the ERJHS Alumni Sports Club officers, who will be formally inducted by ERJHS Principal Gina Labor Obierna on Thursday, Feb. 23 as part of the school’s Foundation Day celebrations.

To be inducted are Ed Andaya (Batch 81), Imee Gines (Batch 82), Jane Jimenez (Batch 85), Bes Maghirang (Batch 83), Gina de los Santos (Batch 86), Melissa Cabalic (Batch 89), Roland Doncillo (Batch 81), Albert Andaya (Batch 85), Roy Madayag (Batch 91), Richard Nell (Batch 93) and Robert Capistrano (Batch 94). Advisers are Rene Baena , Zeny Castor and Severina Gutierrez.

For comments and suggestions, e-mail to [email protected]