Ricky Brown visits Philippines today

FORMER Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) star Ricardo “Ricky” Brown is back in Manila for the first time after 22 years to touch base with his fans and renew ties with his old hard court colleagues and mentors.

“It is truly the thrill of a lifetime to return to the Philippines after so many years. Some of the best years of my life were spent on the hard courts of the Araneta Coliseum and Ultra in front of the greatest basketball fans ever, and the multitude of cherished memories will remain in my heart forever. To the Filipino people, it feels so good to be coming home to see you once again,” Said Brown, whose uncanny talent for running rings around his opponents coupled with a deadly shooting hand and lightning-fast handoffs earned him the moniker “The Quick Brown Fox.”

Brown, whose trip to Manila was made possible by PBA, Robinsons Malls, Crowne Plaza, Luxor International, Chevrolet Philippines, San Miguel Corp. and Hawaiian Airlines, was the first ever naturalized Filipino-American to suit up for Philippine National Team during the 1980 Jones Cup in Taiwan, where the Ron Jacobs-coached Northern Cement quintet demolished Taiwan, Sweden, Italy and the United States to take the championship.

Under the auspices of then basketball patron Ambassador Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco, Brown played for the De La Salle Green Archers in 1982 before he moved on to the PBA where he was named 1983 Rookie of the Year and 1985 Most Valuable Player.

He was also a member of the coveted PBA Mythical Five in 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, and 1988. As a stalwart of the Great Taste Coffee Makers and San Miguel Beermen under Virgilio “Baby” Dalupan, he amassed no less than seven PBA titles as well as a rare Grand Slam in his 10-year stint in the league.

Brown still holds the PBA All-time Career Scoring Average of 23.1 points per game and the PBA All-time Best Assist Average of 7.3 assists per game.

He was named one of the PBA’s 25 Greatest Players in 2000 and was elevated to the PBA Hall of Fame in 2009. He now works as the principal of Ross Middle School in Artesia, California.

While in Manila, Brown will be the guest of honor of the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum today at Shakey’s United Nations Avenue, and will attend meet and greet events organized for his fans on Thursday, July 12, at the Robinsons Mall (Manila Midtown Level 3 Lobby); Friday, July 13, at the Robinsons Mall (Sports Loop of Galleria); and Saturday, July 14 at the Robinsons Mall (Forum Activity Area).

On Sunday, July 15, he will be honored as one of 25 Greatest Players in the History of the PBA.

He will be given his PBA jacket and will personally receive his PBA Hall of Fame award from PBA Commissioner Chito Salud. (PR)