There was always something Sean Chambers looked forward to after training during his time with Alaska in 1992. As soon as practice was over, Chambers would rush to the shower, get dressed, then head to the Loyola Center in Quezon City to catch Far Eastern University's games in the UAAP.
Chambers was there to watch a diminutive point guard who would eventually become one of his most celebrated teammates. That was Johnny Abarrientos, the star point guard of the Tamaraws.
"I was blown away with Johnny when he was in college. I used to go watch his college games. I was like 'OK, practice is over. We gotta go to the game, we gotta head to the Cuneta Astrodome and watch Johnny play,'" shared Alaska's legendary resident import in the previous episode of An Eternity of Basketball. (Editor's note: the UAAP games were actually held at the Loyola Center, now the Blue Eagle Gym, in 1992).
"I don't think I missed a game. He was that good. He knew I was there watching the game."
The Tamaraws went on to win the UAAP crown that year, and Chambers became an instant fan. In fact, he might have had something to do with Alaska tabbing Abarrientos third overall in the 1993 Rookie Draft.
"I think I probably, Tim (Cone) might not say this, but I probably got on my knees and said 'Tim, hear me on this one. Trust me on this one. This guy is the best I've ever seen,'" said Chambers with a chuckle.
Luckily for the franchise, they listened to Chambers as Abarrientos turned out to be even better than advertised.
"What's amazing is... you saw what he did in games. He was just never rattled, he was always into his zone. But what he did in practice was even better. What he did every practice was even more phenomenal," said Chambers. "We just all shook our heads and were like, 'This kid is incredible.' And he just got better. Then he got the jump shot, then he shot threes."
Chambers and Abarrientos won six PBA titles together. The two helped the decorated franchise win a Grand Slam in 1996, the same year Abarrientos won his lone MVP award.
In a career spanning 17 years, Abarrientos won 12 championships and was an eight-time All-star. The 5-foot-8 playmaker won two finals MVP awards and became part of the Mythical First Team six times. He proved he could do a lot on the court and retired as the all-time leader in steals.
Such achievements merited the ultimate compliment from Chambers, who is also revered as one of the best PBA imports of all time.
"He's the greatest player, I'm gonna say, I've ever played with. Johnny is the greatest of all time," he said.
"Jojo (Lastimosa) was one of our best leaders and most skilled guy ever, but Johnny Abarrientos was the best player I've ever played with in my career."
Former Alaska coach Cone, in a separate episode of the podcast by Charlie Cuna, Noel Zarate, and Sid Ventura, shared the same refrain.
"I'm sorry for the other guys, but I think Johnny deserves that mantle of being the best that I've ever coached," Cone said.
"And I know Hector Calma very well, and I always apologize to him. But I say, 'Hector, Johnny was the best point guard ever.' And now I have to apologize to Jayson Castro as well. But Jayson was more of a 'points' guard."
Abarrientos was so good he almost became the first Filipino to play in the NBA.
"If he wanted to, he could have played in the NBA. If he would have taken the chance to go....he was that good," Chambers said.
Would Abarrientos thrive in the NBA that time? Chambers thought players of his size would have had a hard time playing in that era. But how about in today's NBA?
"In a situation today, he'd probably even have more of a chance because the skill level, the pick and roll that they're doing. But now with what Trae Young is doing and the other guys at his size, he could have easily done that because he was unflappable," Chambers said.
Chambers couldn't really tell just how close was Abarrientos to realizing every Filipino cager's dream. What's certain was that there was an opportunity.
"I think with Johnny though, he's such a family guy. He takes pride in really helping and supporting the rest of his family. The more he became successful in our league, he felt more he had to stay here and be a star here and take care of his family," he said.
"I don't know how much he fully entertained it. But I know there was an opportunity for him to go there and try out."