When the Philippine Basketball League turned a quarter of a century at the turn of the century, it honored 25 greatest players in symbolic representation of the number of years it thrilled and entertained the basketball nation.
Listed were Johnny Abarrientos, the short point guard with the tallest chance at the world s premiere basketball league, Bogs Adornado, Ato Agustin, Francis Arnaiz, Ricardo Brown, Allan Caidic, Hector Calma, Philip Cezar, Atoy Co, Jerry Codi era, Kenneth Duremdes, Bernie Fabiosa, Ramon Fernandez, Danny Florencio, Abet Guidaben, Freddie Hubalde, Robert Jaworski Sr., Jojo Lastimosa, Lim Eng Beng, Samboy Lim, Ronnie Magsanoc, Vergel Meneses, Manny Paner, Alvin Patrimonio and Benjie Paras. Period.
In statutory construction, it is called expressio unius est exclusio alterius or those who are not included are excluded on purpose. The list is exclusive. But when the country s premiere basketball league turned middle-age in 2015, it added 15 more to make it 40. Danny Ildefonso, Willie Miller, James Yap, Asi Taulava, Eric Menk, Kelly Williams, Jayjay Helterbrand, Jimmy Alapag, Mark Caguioa, Arwind Santos, Jayson Castro, Marc Pingris, Kerby Raymundo, Chito Loyzaga, and Marlou Aquino.
As the league turns gold this year, it included 10 more to complete the symbolic 50. Nelson Asaytono, Jeffrey Cariaso, June Mar Fajardo, Bong Hawkins, Abe King, Danny Siegle, Scottie Thompson, Arnie Tuadles, Elpidio Villamin, and Manuel Victorino made the cut.
The list is not exclusive after all. It was just a matter of time before those who did not make the first or second cut could be finally recognized. But this is not ejusdem generis either, where the law enumerates specific persons followed by a general term to include those persons of the same class or category.
The elite list loses prestige had the first 25, 40 and 50 ended with a catch-all phrase to include all others. Exactly why it is exclusive. In this context, inclusivity is not welcome, greatness is a rarity. The tricky part however is it grows. Others may be omitted now and included later.
It must be beyond difficult to pick the 50 greatest, the wisdom of choice will always be scrutinized. Curiously though, what if another player did not make the first cut but finally made it to finest cut of a diamond celebration? It may be too late. In law, it is called amendment by addition, but definitely not budget insertion. The first is afterthought, the second evil thought.