"We can be compassionate and merciful" – When the BAP unanimously lifted the Jaworski, Reynoso lifetime ban in 1973

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Robert Jaworski and Alberto “Big Boy” Reynoso were given a new lease on life in January 1973 after the Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP) lifted the lifetime ban on the two national players.

Jaworski and Reynoso were handed lifetime bans for mauling two game officials, Joe Obias and Eriberto Cruz, during a MICAA matchup between Meralco and Crispa during an All-Filipino MICAA game at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum on December 20, 1971, per the Manila Bulletin.

The BAP’s 1973 decision balanced accountability with compassion, allowing two of the Philippines’ greatest players to resume their legacy.

Then-BAP president Gonzalo “Lito” Puyat III announced on January 17, 1973, that Jaworski and Reynoso were players in good standing effective February 1, 1973. This was after the governing basketball body unanimously decided to lift the life suspensions of the two players.

“While we have shown that we can be hard as steel in cracking down basketball malefactors, and I am ready to show this again, we have not forgotten the enduring qualities of the Filipino, that we can be compassionate and merciful, magnanimous and forgiving, tolerant and just,” said Puyat.

Puyat added that both Jaworski and Reynoso openly admitted their mistakes and made amends to those that they had aggrieved. Both vowed not to commit the same mistake again.

“On these premises, the BAP saw it fit to give them another chance,” the BAP chief added.

Jaworski, Reynoso eligible for PH team

Although it was a huge sigh of relief for Jaworski and Reynoso, Puyat cautioned that the BAP could not do anything should any of the MICAA teams refuse to take them in then. However, he added that he sees no reason why the two players cannot be members of the Philippine national team.

Puyat explained that Jaworski and Reynoso can still be candidates for the national squad that would be competing for that year’s Asian Basketball Conference senior championship.

Jaworski, Reynoso spent free time doing movies

While banned from playing basketball, Jaworski and Reynoso used the time to make movie appearances. However, both made it a point to stay in shape, apparently not closing the door on a potential basketball comeback.

“I’ve been regularly practicing on my own,” Jaworski, then 25 years old, admitted at the time. “Our basketball has gone up, and I hope I could add something to it. I think I can play until when I’ll be around 35,” the former University of the East player added.

As far as appearing in movies, Jaworski pointed out at the time that there is a circular that was in effect.

Puyat explained that the circular that Jaworski was referring to required players to seek BAP permission before appearing in movies.

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Brian Yalung

Managing Editor at Sports Bytes PH

Brian Yalung is a long-time writer who covers most sports and technology. He focuses on one-on-one interviews with athletes and organizations, going in-depth. He finished his Masters in Business Administration degree at the Ateneo Graduate School of Business and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Applications at the DLSU-College of St. Benilde.