The deep, powerful presence of legendary bowler Bong Coo, three-time Olympian Akiko Nakamura Thomson-Guevarra, future Navy chief Mary Pauline “Pawie” Fornea and fast-rising volleyball star Alvya Daphne “Jaja” Santiago should be enough for us to think of better days ahead.
![Elgin Baylor](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/image03.jpeg)
The Most Underrated Player in NBA History
Before there was Connie Hawkins, David Thompson, Julius “The Doctor” Erving and Michael Jordan, there was Elgin Baylor. On March 22, 2021, Baylor died due to natural causes.
![On April 9, 1975, the first game ever in PBA history was held at the Araneta Coliseum. Here, Noritake's Israel Oliver and Concepcion Carrier's Ramon Lucindo await the ceremonial opening toss as PBA commissioner Leo Prieto and PBA president Emerson Coseteng look on.](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/166478851_307073764096003_8596682624826733232_n.jpg)
PBA: The Day Local Pro Ball Made Its Debut
In local sports, the date April 9 also is special to hoops fans. A momentous occasion moment it was forty-six years ago on that day for it marked the birth of professional basketball in the Philippines.
![Usain Bolt](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/image02-e1617613003655.jpeg)
Two-sport Athletes
Where did these guys get the energy to play two sports. Each sport works different parts of the body. I remember Michael Jordan coming out of his first retirement in 1995, reports were saying he was in “baseball shape”, not basketball shape which may have contributed to the Bulls’ demise in the playoffs against the Orlando Magic.
![Stephen Curry [photo credit: Wikimedia Commons | TechCrunch]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/TechCrunch_Disrupt_San_Francisco_2019_-_Day_1_48835097887_cropped-1024x826.jpg)
Competing with Faith
As the nation observes holy week, in my 45 years of existence, I’ve seen athletes both professional and amateur, wear their faith on their sleeves.
![Demetrious Johnson](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/DJ-1024x683.jpeg)
ONE: Team Lakay’s Sangiao believes Johnson holds advantage over Moraes
In the main event, ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix, 12-time UFC World Champion Demetrious Johnson can further establish his legacy as the greatest mixed martial artist in history if he defeats reigning six-time ONE Flyweight World Champion Adriano Moraes.
![The Soviets jubilate after an Alexander Belov basket at the game buzzer gave them a one-point win over the erstwhile unbeaten Americans during the men's basketball finals in the 1972 Munich Olympics.](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/164578400_894322851365346_4452287063906228683_n.jpg)
A Trip to the FIBA Hall of Fame
There are various Basketball Hall of Fame sites here and abroad but not many know that there exists one for international basketball.
![Andrew Moten biography [photo taken from PBA Annual]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/157004961_230444555430259_1655177595139515852_n1-1024x368.jpg)
PBA: Recalling SMB Import Andrew Moten who played only three games before getting banned
When one asks around, the name of Andrew Moten may not ring a bell. And the reason for that? He only played three PBA games for the Beermen.
![The BaliPure Purest Water Defenders were the special guests on Sports Bytes PH last Mar. 27, 2021.](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/IMG_40311-1024x577.jpg)
The Evolution of PH Volleyball
BaliPure Purest Water Defenders Head Coach Rommel Abella mentioned the word positionless, which is a word you normally associate with professional men’s basketball. What Coach Abella meant was, and again, something I usually hear only in men’s basketball, more and more women’s players are becoming versatile.
![](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/pfl-field-ntc-lights-760x427-1.jpg)
Football: ‘More competitive’ PFL to kick off July 2021; Copa Paulino Alcantara postponed
The Philippines Football League brought to you by Qatar Airways has decided on a July 17, 2021 kickoff for its next season.
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