Ramon Fernandez will always be El Presidente.

Ramon Fernandez will always be El Presidente.

We want to thank the PBA's "El Presidente" Ramon Fernandez for taking some time out of his weekend vacation to chat with us via phone-patch during Sunday's Tribute to Robert Jaworski. Jaworski's legend wouldn't be complete without Don Ramon just as Don Ramon's story wouldn't be complete without The Big J.

Here's our FTW episode about the Jaworski-Fernandez rivalry:



For those too young to remember Mon Fernandez, here are some personal notes. Don Ramon was the original Don - the Godfather of PBA royalty. Nobody ever played with such panache. He had style. He had skills.

Mon Fernandez vs Abet Guidaben

There are only two 4-time MVPs in the PBA. Alvin Patrimonio is one. Mon Fernandez is the other. Mon is 6'5" and during his time, 6'5" is the equivalent of today's 6'9". So how good was Mon Fernandez? Think Asi Taulava who could do the following: glide like JC Intal, rebound like Arwind, post-up like Ranidel, score inside-outside like Alvin, fire the no-look-bullet-pass like Tenorio and run 3-on-2 fast-breaks like Jimmy. Don Ramon also owned the best signature shot in all of sports - The Elegant Shot.

As a young Toyota fan, I suppose it was only natural for me to gravitate towards Jaworski and Francis Arnaiz. They played in the backcourt. They were guards. I could relate. Mon, on the other hand, played the center position like he was from another planet. I couldn't copy his post moves. I couldn't imagine myself playing center. He was long. He was tall. Talagang hindi ako maka-relate.

But it was always a thrill to watch him play for Toyota, Beer Hausen, Tanduay, Purefoods and San Miguel. How do you win 4 MVP trophies? By being insanely good.

Don Ramon is now based in Cebu. He promotes his vinegar "Suka ni El Presidente" during weekdays and loves to go fishing during weekends. Thanks for chatting with us last Sunday Don Ramon. MH