THE AERIAL VOYAGER LANDS FOR GOOD
Playing on the concrete courts of Malolos, Bulacan in the barangay leagues organized by his father, little did Vergel Meneses envision that his skills will be legend and that his name will be etched with the basketball greats the country has produced.
And after a career that has spanned 14 years, from 1992, when he was drafted first out of Jose Rizal University by Presto Ice Cream, to 2006 with Talk ‘N Text, the Aerial Voyager has finally landed for good.
Vergel Meneses formally retired during the halftime of the Air21 Express – Barangay Ginebra San Miguel game Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena, ending a storied chapter of his life, where he was hailed as the Most Improved Player in 1993, the Most Valuable Player in 1995, and being named as one of the PBA’s 25 Greatest Players in 2000.
“Nakakatayo ng balahibo,” said the 44-year-old legend. “Masyado akong thankful sa Air21 family. Kay Boss Bert Lina at sa family nya, at kay Sir Lito Aalvarez sa pagpapahalaga sa career ko sa PBA. Nagpapasalamat din ako sa mga kaibigan natin tulad ni Danny Espiritu na naging malaking tulong sa career ko, at sila Willie Marcial, Rickie Santos, at ang PBA dahil sila yung nagka-idea na i-hang yung jersey ko. Sobrang nakakataba ng puso.”
The 6-foot-3 swingman from Bulacan has been known throughout his career for his leaping ability, captivating the crowd with his graceful hang-time drives, thus earning for himself the moniker “The Aerial Voyager.”
Meneses got Mythical First Team nods in 1994 and 1995, a Mythical Second Team selection in 1992, and was the first player to win three straight Best Player of the Conference awards in the 1994 Governors’ Cup, the 1995 All-Filipino Cup, and the 1995 Commissioner’s Cup. He also holds the league record of four All-Star Game MVPs, and he was one of only seven players to see action in at least 10 All-Star Games.
A member of the 5,000-point and 2,000-assist club, Meneses amassed 9,543 points, 1,896 rebounds, and 2,129 assists in the 590 games he played in the PBA, averaging 16 markers, 3.2 boards, and 3.6 dimes per outing.
He was also a part of the 1998 Philippine Centennial Team which won the bronze medal in the Bangkok Asian Games and swept the opposition in that year’s Jones Cup in Taipei.
But big numbers aside, Meneses would like the fans to remember how important he was on the teams he played for during his prime.
“Hindi lang yung hang-time in-your-face slam dunks yung gusto kong maalala ng mga tao sa akin, hindi lang yung mga no-look passes,” he said. “Gusto kong maalala nila ay yung everytime na the game is on the line, na kay Vergel Meneses yung bola, na kaya kong ipanalo yung team and no matter what happens, manalo o matalo, nasa akin yung bola.”
As Meneses’ professional playing career comes to a close, he now shifts his focus to his role as an assistant coach for the Air21 Express, and as the head coach for his alma mater JRU.
He said, “Yung pagiging coach ko, it’s a new challenge for me. It’s a new chapter in my career. Syempre gustong gusto ko yung mga challenges na ganyan.”
“Dito naman sa Air21, napunta ako rito through Sir Lito. Gusto nya ma-improve ko yung skill ko as coach at everytime na nandito ako, nakakapag-observe ako and at the same time, I can help yung mga bagong players,” Meneses said. “I’m willing to share kung ano yung natutunan ko sa kung ano man yung narating ko.”
Meneses also gave appreciation to the fans of the PBA, reflecting how big of an impact they are in building one’s career.
He said, “Without the fans, wala kaming lahat dito.” (RLeongson)
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