Espines still unbeatable, says Danding

By Al S. Mendoza

RICARDO Brown came as quick and left just as quick.

That’s probably why he is called, “The Quick Brown Fox.” That moniker was coined by Pinggoy Pengson, the late, lamented sportscaster.

Now 55 years old, Brown played in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) from 1983 to 1989.

He played with distinction.  His forte is dribbling and shooting.

He was the first to popularize the behind-the-back dribble here.  He could also shoot from afar with ease.

And he was among the coolest to ever play the game.

In 1983, he was the PBA’s Rookie of the Year.

In 1985, he was the PBA’s MVP.

In 1989, he was part of the San Miguel Beer Team that won the PBA Grand Slam (a sweep of all three conferences staked every season).

A naturalized Filipino as his mother is a Filipina (Consuelo Vidal, from Sta. Cruz, Manila), Brown went home to Los Angeles, California, in 1990.

Hurting from basketball-related injuries, including back pains, he retired that year.

Two weeks ago, he was back – after a total of 22 years being away from Manila.

“The first thing I noticed was the traffic,” he said.  “Terribly horrible.”

I was flattered when Brown personally requested his dear friend, fellow journalist Tet Andolong, to join his group in the lunch hosted by Danding Cojuangco last week at the Executive Lounge of the San Miguel Corporation building in Mandaluyong City.

It was Danding who brought Brown to the country in 1981 to play for Northern Consolidated Cement, the Sison-based (Pangasinan) company owned by Cojuangco.

The nostalgia lane was quickly revisited once Danding and Ricky met again.

“Was it 1987 when we last saw each other?” said Danding.

“Yes, Boss,” said Ricky.  “Time flies, indeed.”

Actually, Brown came home primarily to collect his Hall of Fame trophy from the PBA, which also selected him one of the Greatest 25 Players of the league.

I was seated next to Danding during the historic lunch and, aside from basketball and Brown, Danding and I had touched on Pangasinan politics, as well.

“I heard your son, Mark, is interested in becoming governor of Pangasinan?”

“Of course, not,” Danding said.  “Espines should continue the good work he’s been doing in your province.  I heard he’s been really doing well.  Someone told me Espines is the best governor Pangasinan has ever had.”

I mentioned Nani Braganza, the mayor of Alaminos.

“Oh, he will be no match against Espines,” Danding said.  “At this stage, I believe Espines is unbeatable.”

And he next turned to me.

“How about you, when are you running for Congressman in your district?” Danding asked.

In 1992, when Danding ran for President, he egged me on – together with the great Tio Condring Estrella – to run for that post.

“I will support you all the way,” he said to me then.

I politely declined.

“How about next year?” he said.  “Just tell me when you are ready, OK?”

I just smiled, and said to him, “Thank you, Boss.  I’ll keep that in mind.”

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