Basketball
The List: Top 10 Imports in Ginebra’s Jaworski Era
1. Billy Ray Bates
1986 Open Conference, 1987 Reinforced Conference, 1988 Reinforced Conference
In 1986, Jaworski, a former Toyota stalwart, made the surprising choice of tapping Bates, a former Crispa import, to team up with Hackett at Ginebra. It proved to be a great choice, as the Black Superman dominated in the franchise’s first title run.
He returned alone in 1987, putting up 54.9 points per game for Ginebra, which lost a knockout game against Hills Bros. for the final playoff berth that led to a near-riot on the court.
In 1988, Ginebra brought him back again, but by then his nocturnal habits had caught up to him, and Jaworski decided to cut the cord with the Black Superman. Still, he remains No. 1 in the list of most memorable imports in Ginebra history.
