Ending of Jaworski-Fernandez feud, one of ‘The Maestro’s’ biggest contributions to Philippine basketball

ROBERT Jaworski and Ramon Fernandez were two of the most popular figures ever produced in the PBA. They were icons of the fabled Toyota team that won nine league championships before the team folded at the end of the 1983 season.

They parted ways from there on and the previous bonding they’ve established playing together for many years were turned into a bitter rivalry. They assumed the leadership role for their new respective teams — Jaworski becoming the leader of Gilbey’s Gin where he became playing coach in 1985 when the team shifted name to Ginebra San Miguel and Fernandez taking over the leadership mantle at Beer Hausen, the franchise which acquired Toyota.

The cold war came to an end in 1989 when the All-Star Game was started to be institutionalized.

Jaworski and Fernandez were named starters to the Veterans squad coached by the legendary Baby Dalupan and they joined the old timers in battling the Rookies and the Sophomores bannered by Alvin Patrimonio, Benjie Paras, Jerry Codinera, Jojo Lastimosa and Ronnie Magsanoc among others.

Fans would shriek every time the Big J and the El Presidente would pass the ball to each other and as fate would have it, the two would conspire in the final play — Jaworski inbounding the ball and passing it to Fernandez, who would score on a nifty up and under shot against the defense of Paras, propelling the Veterans to a thrilling victory over the Rookies and the Sophomores.

Having Jaworski and Fernandez conspiring for the last play was like a fitting ending, a masterstroke script made by Dalupan, who would then ask the league’s two titans to shake hands in midcourt to the delight of the crowd.

Jaworski and Fernandez would bury the hatchet and the following year, the two would join forces in the first ever all-professional national squad which competed in the 1990 Beijing Asian Games.

The Big J was named head coach of the squad with Fernandez being delegated as the team captain.

To date, the 1989 All-Star Game still ranks as among the most significant moments in the history of the PBA and Dalupan made sure he’ll have a hand in reconciling Jaworski and Fernandez.