The Big J

Love him or leave him.

- LITO A. TACUJAN

They come cascading from the nosebleed section of the coliseum into the parquet floor of the court, rolling in uncanny rhythmic cadence with accent on every syllable." "Ja-wor-ski! Ja-wor-ski! Ja-wor-ski!"came the chant from fans ever loyal and faithful to an ailing Robert Jaworski.

And smarting from the first volley of cheers, the fans would come hollering back, in full-throated blast that even non-believers could only watch in awe.

"Gi-ne-bra! Gi-ne-bra! Gi-ne-bra!" Looking back one wonders what's in this team and team captain that made them look like a perfect match during their glory years in the PBA, becoming the toast of the entire league. He isn't only a legend but a lasting basketball icon as he celebrated his 78th birthday the other day.

These all came back like snatches of memory one acquires frame by frame, filling up a reel to some of the highlights of this man's career that best defines the kind of basketball we all love rugged, tough, physical.