IT WAS an annual year-end event that I make sure I do not miss.

Interrupted in 2020 by the pandemic, sportsman-businessman Alex Wang decided to do his first face to face get together for his sports media friends and other friends , that is, if we do not count the book launching he had last year, practically on the same date.

This was the book on the 25 years of Wang’s Ballclub where I collaborated with Alex, Fred Nasiad, and Danny Simon on said book project.

For 2022, it was held last December 28 at Han Pao in Mandaluyong.

Both Danny and myself were present, same with People’s Tonight sports editor Ed Andaya, and old timers Clyde Mariano and Enjel Manato but Fred did not make it.

.Also there were ex PBA gunner of yesteryears, Ato Tolentino, one of the original players in the inaugural season of the league and coach for the last 36 years ,a long time with the University of Manila and the Philippine Christian University, plus Wang’s, he represents the past, then Letran coach Bonnie Tan, who just did a three peat with the Knights in the NCAA, he represents the present, and Wang’s Ballclub young coaches and players, representing the future.

Ato, now 75 years old, remains mobile even as he survived a severe case of covid last year, even kidding Alex that he can start joining the weekly scrimmages of Wang’s already.

He once was among the highest paid pro player while playing for Presto, stayed with the team for six years but failed to play in his last two years due to injuries and eventually retired.

Talking of Bonnie who is also a team manager in the PBA with North Port, and with an eleven year long stint in Lyceum as coach before accepting an offer from Letran, I was kidding him that it took him 3 years to accomplish a three-peat because of the pandemic.

Bonnie looks at his third title as the most memorable if only because of all the off-the-court happenings involving Letran, the intrigues, the bad press, the conspiracies like he dropped a game to avoid facing San Beda, and his players getting the raw end of calls and decisions.

But that night he was very voluble and shared his thoughts on the matter, more so that in the end, it was his team that emerged winner.

What is surprising is his hesitation as yet to re-sign with Letran for some personal reasons though it is more likely he will end up going for a four-peat with the team this year, hurt as he is by the graduation of all his veteran point guards.

My bet is even with that situation, Bonnie and his Knights will still be competitive in the coming NCAA this year.

For the future, Alex discussed with the group including Ed who has been running it about the return of the Millenium Basketball League (MBL) but this time with focus on the younger side as a developmental league.

The plan is to limit it to 25 & below with no ex-pros like in previous years, this is also aligned with Wang’s Ballclub getting younger players and coaches now.

First task is to look for a partner school with Rizal Technological University (RTU) as a primary candidate,l.Ed is looking at 8 teams in the fold.

Another future plan for Alex is to do a free basketball clinic for kids in Mt. Banahaw, my suggestion actually with Bgy. Sta. Lucia in Dolores as the site since I know some local people there because of my annual Christmas gift giving in the area.

Part of the idea too is for Wang’s to engage a local selection for an exhibition game, then I show them around my trekking areas in the mountain.

One of my wishes then for 2023 is that this event pushes through.