Arnie Tuadles
Encyclopedia
Arnulfo "Arnie" Tuadles was a Filipino
basketball player who once played for the fabled Philippine Basketball Association
(PBA) team Toyota Super Corollas
. He began his career brightly as a stalwart in the MICAA, playing for the Manilabank Golden Bankers in the mid-70s before peddling his wares with the San Miguel Braves. Tuadles was one of the many talented Visayan players who donned the SMB uniform in the MICAA as the company was one of the movers and believers of tapping basketball talents from the grassroots. Tuadles, along with Marlowe Jacutin, Salvador Ramas and Melchor Ravanes, were top Cebuano cagers in the Cebu league although Tuadles was drafted earlier by the Puyats via Manilabank. Tuadles, though, wasn't one of the more celebrated players in the MICAA back then. Since San Miguel was normally out of the running in the MICAA finals (perennially dominated by Solid Mills and Frigidaire / MAN Diesel), Tuadles wasn't mentioned in the same breath as a Federico Lauchengco, an Emerito Legaspi, an Angelito Ladores, an Alex Clarino, or a Hector Calma
.
, a lot of Tamaraws' fans were asking who Tuadles was. Toyota fans were also wondering why they weren't able to secure Lauchengco who came from their farm team in the MICAA or Ladores who was already with their sister team Filmanbank in the PBA in 1978. At that time, the Tamaraws were having difficulty finding a good #3 player since original small forward Rodolfo Segura has been waived already while 1976 Rookie of the Year
Virgilio Cortez was perennially injured. Danny Florencio and Estoy Estrada's entry in the 1978 season would have answered this weakness and true enough, Toyota won two out of three titles that season. But Florencio went on AWOL at the start of the 1979 season while Estrada was experiencing a falling out with Dante Silverio - slowly losing the trust accorded to him by the fashionable coach. Tuadles' entry with Toyota allowed Silverio to tinker with his starting lineup once more.
Silverio initially tried out Emerito Legaspi at the starting #3 position in the 1979 season. Legaspi panned out though, as he was too small to go up against the likes of Freddie Hubalde
, Jess Migalbin, and Jun Papa. Tuadles was a perfect fit since not only was he bigger, he also was capable of doing what Legaspi was expected to do - score from the outside, penetrate and receive the outlet pass. Tuadles, as a matter of fact, transformed the receiving the outlet pass to an art as he was able to convert the fastbreak without dribbling the ball.
Soon thereafter, Tuadles earned Silverio's nod and became Toyota's starting forward for the entire 1979 season
. Silverio later would show his appreciation to his young ward by getting his services for Shell in the 1989 season
. And because he was able to mesh well with the resident Toyota superstars, Tuadles was able to crack the Mythical 5 selection with ease - at his rookie year. This was unprecedented - and continues to be so as only four other players have matched this feat - Ricky Brown in 1983
, Allan Caidic
in 1987
, Benjie Paras
in 1989
and Danny Seigle
in 1999
.
Tuadles' trademark moves were countless, but he became popular for his "contra-tiempo" move - one of only few players in the Philippines capable of shooting the ball using the other foot. His timing was uncanny and unorthodox, that even top shot blockers like Phillip Cezar and Norman Black admitted that he was one of the most difficult players to block. Also, Tuadles' moves appeared to be ginger and deceptively slow on camera - but in actuality, Tuadles is one of the quickest players of his generation. The great thing about Tuadles as well was his versatility - he was one of the old-school players who knew not only how to score from inside but had equal accuracy from outside.
In 1982
, the PBA organized the Mello Yello (a soft drink brand under the Coke company - similar to Lift soda today) All Star competitions. Two teams were formed - the players based in the North (those who find their roots in Luzon) and players from the South (Visayas and Mindanao). The best players came to compete - including Tuadles' Toyota teammates Robert Jaworski
, Francis Arnaiz
, Abe King
(all of whom played for the North) and Ramon Fernandez
(Tuadles' teammate at South) plus their arch rivals from Crispa like Atoy Co
, Bernie Fabiosa
, Abet Guidaben
, Philip Cezar
and Hubalde. Bogs Adornado, Manny Paner, Willie Generalao among others also took part in this activity. The first game was held in Cebu, won by the South team and led by Tuadles who popped in 50 points in that game. They won against the North team by 3 points. In Manila a couple of days after, the North team avenged their loss, winning Game 2 by 5 points and winning the series altogether because of the cumulative format. Tuadles however was named MVP of the series for his scintillating performance. This All-Star game actually started the annual All-Star Game which was institutionalized in 1989.
, he found himself playing for Ignacio Gotao's Great Taste team. While most of the players of Toyota went to Basic Holdings, Inc., owners of Beer Hausen (Ricky Relosa, Ed Cordero, Tim Coloso, Pol Herrera, Legaspi & Fernandez), Arnaiz and Jaworski went to Ginebra
, King was traded to Gold Eagle and Tuadles and Chito Loyzaga found a new home in Great Taste
. Tuadles had a homecoming the next season with Jaworski though as he suited up for the Ginebra team in the 1985 season, helping the ragtag Ginebra team to be competitive the whole season round during Jaworski's first year of coaching. A falling out with the Big J led to his departure the next season.
Tuadles became part of the new team Alaska Milkmen
alongside Naning Valenciano, Dennis Abbatuan, Alejo Alolor among others at the start of the 1986 season. Since Alaska didn't fare well in the entire 1986 season
, Tuadles' career somehow got stalled. He then moved back to the Gokongwei franchise in 1987
and found himself in unfamiliar territory - playing alongside erstwhile nemesis Cezar, Fabiosa and Co. It was a volatile mix of Crispa and Toyota players (King was with GTC also) but it also proved that these players can co-exist and do well together, particularly if they were being handled by a great coach in Virgilio "Baby" Dalupan.
Towards the end of the 1988 season
, Shell
plucked Dante Silverio out of retirement to replace Joe Lipa as their head coach. Silverio wasted no time in getting Tuadles' services again and this was made possible at the start of the 1989 season
. Silverio even went out of his way to get Arnie's younger brother Calvin from the 1989 rookie draft. It was a good year for Tuadles and Shell as the franchise, led by ROY/MVP Benjie Paras and sophomore Ronnie Magsanoc, did well in all three conferences, losing though to SMB's grandslam run.
Silverio eventually went back to retirement at the end of the 1989 season and Arlene Rodriguez replaced him as head coach at the start of the 1990 season. Without the father figure in Silverio, Tuadles was like a headless chicken with no sense of satisfaction at the Turbo Chargers camp. But he remained a vital cog with Shell, and was one of the key players responsible for giving Shell its first ever PBA title in that controversy-marred 1990
Open Conference finals that saw Anejo Rhum 65 (Ginebra) walk out at 2:52 of the 2nd Quarter of Game 6. He was also responsible for giving the karate chop to chief Magsanoc defender Leo Isaac in the semifinals of the same conference that led to Isaac's unavailability in the finals. In the 2nd conference, a lot of fans were surprised to see Tuadles reuniting once more with his Presto/Great Taste teammates. But he was more than a welcome sight for Coach Jimmy Mariano as Tuadles, utilized by Mariano to backstop 1990 season MVP Allan Caidic, became more than just a reserve forward. In Game 7 of the All-Filipino Cup (AFC) finals between Presto and Purefoods, and with Caidic not playing because of an injury, Tuadles took over and dismantled Purefoods' defense to win the AFC. Tuadles scored 33 points as he ran rings around everyone else - Glenn Capacio & Alvin Patrimonio among others. Tuadles thereby became the first player in the history of the PBA to win two consecutive PBA titles wearing different uniforms. He to date remains the only player to have this distinction.
, he was shot in the forehead allegedly by the former Games and Amusement Board chairman.
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
basketball player who once played for the fabled Philippine Basketball Association
Philippine Basketball Association
The Philippine Basketball Association , is a men's professional basketball league in the Philippines composed of 10 company-branded franchised teams. It is the first and oldest professional basketball league in Asia and the second oldest in the world after the NBA...
(PBA) team Toyota Super Corollas
Toyota Super Corollas
The Toyota Super Corollas was a professional basketball team in the Philippine Basketball Association from 1975-1983. The team had various monikers such as the Comets, the Silver Tamaraws, the Tamaraws, the Super Diesels, the Super Corollas and the Silver Coronas.Their nine PBA titles is the...
. He began his career brightly as a stalwart in the MICAA, playing for the Manilabank Golden Bankers in the mid-70s before peddling his wares with the San Miguel Braves. Tuadles was one of the many talented Visayan players who donned the SMB uniform in the MICAA as the company was one of the movers and believers of tapping basketball talents from the grassroots. Tuadles, along with Marlowe Jacutin, Salvador Ramas and Melchor Ravanes, were top Cebuano cagers in the Cebu league although Tuadles was drafted earlier by the Puyats via Manilabank. Tuadles, though, wasn't one of the more celebrated players in the MICAA back then. Since San Miguel was normally out of the running in the MICAA finals (perennially dominated by Solid Mills and Frigidaire / MAN Diesel), Tuadles wasn't mentioned in the same breath as a Federico Lauchengco, an Emerito Legaspi, an Angelito Ladores, an Alex Clarino, or a Hector Calma
Hector Calma
Hector Calma is a retired Filipino professional basketball player. At 5 feet and 6 inches, he played at the point guard position and was most notably associated with the San Miguel Beer team of the Philippine Basketball Association....
.
Toyota Tamaraw
When Tuadles was signed up by the Toyota Tamaraws at the start of the 1979 season1979 PBA season
The 1979 PBA Season was the fifth season of the Philippine Basketball Association .-Trivia:*The PBA's fifth season saw three different teams emerging champions in each conference....
, a lot of Tamaraws' fans were asking who Tuadles was. Toyota fans were also wondering why they weren't able to secure Lauchengco who came from their farm team in the MICAA or Ladores who was already with their sister team Filmanbank in the PBA in 1978. At that time, the Tamaraws were having difficulty finding a good #3 player since original small forward Rodolfo Segura has been waived already while 1976 Rookie of the Year
Philippine Basketball Association Rookie of the Year award
-List of awardees:...
Virgilio Cortez was perennially injured. Danny Florencio and Estoy Estrada's entry in the 1978 season would have answered this weakness and true enough, Toyota won two out of three titles that season. But Florencio went on AWOL at the start of the 1979 season while Estrada was experiencing a falling out with Dante Silverio - slowly losing the trust accorded to him by the fashionable coach. Tuadles' entry with Toyota allowed Silverio to tinker with his starting lineup once more.
Silverio initially tried out Emerito Legaspi at the starting #3 position in the 1979 season. Legaspi panned out though, as he was too small to go up against the likes of Freddie Hubalde
Freddie Hubalde
Alfredo Hubalde , also known as Freddie Hubalde, is a former Filipino professional basketball player. Hubalde played college ball for the Mapúa Institute of Technology, before eventually moving on to play professional basketball in the Philippine Basketball Association...
, Jess Migalbin, and Jun Papa. Tuadles was a perfect fit since not only was he bigger, he also was capable of doing what Legaspi was expected to do - score from the outside, penetrate and receive the outlet pass. Tuadles, as a matter of fact, transformed the receiving the outlet pass to an art as he was able to convert the fastbreak without dribbling the ball.
Soon thereafter, Tuadles earned Silverio's nod and became Toyota's starting forward for the entire 1979 season
1979 PBA season
The 1979 PBA Season was the fifth season of the Philippine Basketball Association .-Trivia:*The PBA's fifth season saw three different teams emerging champions in each conference....
. Silverio later would show his appreciation to his young ward by getting his services for Shell in the 1989 season
1989 PBA season
The 1989 PBA season was the 15th season of the Philippine Basketball Association .-Notable Events:*The richest crop of rookies, and the most talented PBA batch of draftees, came to the PBA in its 15th.season, most notable names were Benjie Paras, Nelson Asaytono, Dindo Pumaren, Paul Alvarez, Zaldy...
. And because he was able to mesh well with the resident Toyota superstars, Tuadles was able to crack the Mythical 5 selection with ease - at his rookie year. This was unprecedented - and continues to be so as only four other players have matched this feat - Ricky Brown in 1983
1983 PBA season
The 1983 PBA season was the ninth season of the Philippine Basketball Association . The famed Crispa Redmanizers won its Second Grandslam after first doing the trick in 1976...
, Allan Caidic
Allan Caidic
Alan Vito Flores Caidic is a retired professional basketball player from the Philippines and is currently an assistant coach of the Barangay Ginebra Kings in the PBA...
in 1987
1987 PBA season
The 1987 PBA season was the 13th season of the Philippine Basketball Association .-Notable Occurrences:*Manila Beer Brewmasters disbanded its franchise, reducing the membership to only 6 teams, their players were absorbed by the rest of the PBA ballclubs.*The PBA, in partnership with a newly-formed...
, Benjie Paras
Benjie Paras
Venancio Johnson Paras, Jr. , better known as Benjie Paras, is a Filipino professional basketball player of the Philippine Basketball Association turned actor. He is the only PBA player to win both Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player honors, in a single season...
in 1989
1989 PBA season
The 1989 PBA season was the 15th season of the Philippine Basketball Association .-Notable Events:*The richest crop of rookies, and the most talented PBA batch of draftees, came to the PBA in its 15th.season, most notable names were Benjie Paras, Nelson Asaytono, Dindo Pumaren, Paul Alvarez, Zaldy...
and Danny Seigle
Danny Seigle
Daniel Charles Seigle is a Filipino American professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association for the Barako Bull Energy. A 6'6", 205-lb. swingman, he is fondly called Dynamite Danny and Danny S. by many...
in 1999
1999 PBA season
The 1999 PBA season was the 25th season of the Philippine Basketball Association .-Notable occurrences:*The league transferred from the Cuneta Astrodome to the PhilSports Arena as their main playing venue....
.
Tuadles' trademark moves were countless, but he became popular for his "contra-tiempo" move - one of only few players in the Philippines capable of shooting the ball using the other foot. His timing was uncanny and unorthodox, that even top shot blockers like Phillip Cezar and Norman Black admitted that he was one of the most difficult players to block. Also, Tuadles' moves appeared to be ginger and deceptively slow on camera - but in actuality, Tuadles is one of the quickest players of his generation. The great thing about Tuadles as well was his versatility - he was one of the old-school players who knew not only how to score from inside but had equal accuracy from outside.
In 1982
1982 PBA season
The 1982 PBA season was the eighth season of the Philippine Basketball Association . It was the very first season that the league implement the best-of-seven format in the Reinforced Filipino Conference which was the first tournament.-Champions:...
, the PBA organized the Mello Yello (a soft drink brand under the Coke company - similar to Lift soda today) All Star competitions. Two teams were formed - the players based in the North (those who find their roots in Luzon) and players from the South (Visayas and Mindanao). The best players came to compete - including Tuadles' Toyota teammates Robert Jaworski
Robert Jaworski
Robert Salazar Jaworski , also known as Sonny Jaworski, Bobby Jaworski, Robert Jaworski, Sr. or simply Jawo, is a former Philippine senator, basketball coach and Manila Industrial and Commercial Athletic Association and PBA basketball player.Known as The Big J and called The Living Legend...
, Francis Arnaiz
Francis Arnaiz
Francis C. Arnaiz is a former Filipino professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association. He played for Toyota and Ginebra San Miguel from 1975-1986...
, Abe King
Abe King
Abe King, Jr. was a Filipino basketball player who was part of the champion Philippine Basketball Association ballclub Toyota Tamaraws. He was the starting power center of 1976 MICAA Champion Crown Motors before his mother team, the Toyota Tamaraws called upon his services at the start of the...
(all of whom played for the North) and Ramon Fernandez
Ramón Fernández
Ramon S. Fernandez is generally regarded as the greatest basketball player produced by the Philippine Basketball Association. Fernandez won four Most Valuable Player awards and a record of 19 PBA championships bagged...
(Tuadles' teammate at South) plus their arch rivals from Crispa like Atoy Co
Atoy Co
Fortunato Co, Jr., better known as Atoy Co, is a former Philippine Basketball Association basketball player and actor who was part of the fabled Crispa Redmanizers ballclub that won two Grand Slams, in 1976 and 1983. He won the Most Valuable Player award, in 1979 and a 9-time Mythical First...
, Bernie Fabiosa
Bernie Fabiosa
Bernard "Tough Job" Fabiosa is a Filipino athlete who played basketball for the Crispa Redmanizers in the Philippine Basketball Association.-Career:Fabiosa was a member of the 1974 RP Youth Team and a graduate of the University of the East...
, Abet Guidaben
Abet Guidaben
Alberto "Abet" Guidaben is a former Philippine Basketball Association basketball player. He was part of the fabled Crispa Redmanizers ballclub that won two Grand Slams, in 1976 and 1983...
, Philip Cezar
Philip Cezar
Philip "The Scholar" Cezar is a former Philippine Basketball Association basketball player. He was part of the fabled Crispa Redmanizers ballclub that won two Grand Slams, in 1976 and 1983. He won the Most Valuable Player award in 1980. He was also a many-time Philippine national team player in...
and Hubalde. Bogs Adornado, Manny Paner, Willie Generalao among others also took part in this activity. The first game was held in Cebu, won by the South team and led by Tuadles who popped in 50 points in that game. They won against the North team by 3 points. In Manila a couple of days after, the North team avenged their loss, winning Game 2 by 5 points and winning the series altogether because of the cumulative format. Tuadles however was named MVP of the series for his scintillating performance. This All-Star game actually started the annual All-Star Game which was institutionalized in 1989.
Great Taste and Beyond
When Toyota disbanded at the start of the 1984 season1984 PBA season
The 1984 PBA season was the 10th season of the Philippine Basketball Association . The season marked the first season without the famed Toyota squad and the final season of the 13-time league champion Crispa Redmanizers.-Champions:...
, he found himself playing for Ignacio Gotao's Great Taste team. While most of the players of Toyota went to Basic Holdings, Inc., owners of Beer Hausen (Ricky Relosa, Ed Cordero, Tim Coloso, Pol Herrera, Legaspi & Fernandez), Arnaiz and Jaworski went to Ginebra
Barangay Ginebra Kings
The Barangay Ginebra Kings is a professional basketball team of the Philippine Basketball Association founded in 1979 and owned by the Ginebra San Miguel, Inc., a subsidiary of the San Miguel Corporation...
, King was traded to Gold Eagle and Tuadles and Chito Loyzaga found a new home in Great Taste
Great Taste Coffee Makers
Great Taste Coffee was one of the Pioneer teams in the Philippine Basketball Association . The company was then known as the Consolidated Foods Corporation and their chief products included well known brands like Presto Ice Cream, N-Rich Coffee Cream, Jack & Jill Fun Snacks, Great Taste Coffee...
. Tuadles had a homecoming the next season with Jaworski though as he suited up for the Ginebra team in the 1985 season, helping the ragtag Ginebra team to be competitive the whole season round during Jaworski's first year of coaching. A falling out with the Big J led to his departure the next season.
Tuadles became part of the new team Alaska Milkmen
Alaska Aces (PBA)
The Alaska Aces is a professional basketball team in the Philippine Basketball Association since 1986 under the ownership of the Alaska Milk Corporation and the owner of 13 PBA championships with the 2010 PBA Fiesta Conference as their latest...
alongside Naning Valenciano, Dennis Abbatuan, Alejo Alolor among others at the start of the 1986 season. Since Alaska didn't fare well in the entire 1986 season
1986 PBA season
The 1986 PBA season was the 12th season of the Philippine Basketball Association .-Notable Events:*Alaska Milk marked its first participation in the league...
, Tuadles' career somehow got stalled. He then moved back to the Gokongwei franchise in 1987
1987 PBA season
The 1987 PBA season was the 13th season of the Philippine Basketball Association .-Notable Occurrences:*Manila Beer Brewmasters disbanded its franchise, reducing the membership to only 6 teams, their players were absorbed by the rest of the PBA ballclubs.*The PBA, in partnership with a newly-formed...
and found himself in unfamiliar territory - playing alongside erstwhile nemesis Cezar, Fabiosa and Co. It was a volatile mix of Crispa and Toyota players (King was with GTC also) but it also proved that these players can co-exist and do well together, particularly if they were being handled by a great coach in Virgilio "Baby" Dalupan.
Towards the end of the 1988 season
1988 PBA season
The 1988 PBA season was the 14th season of the Philippine Basketball Association .-Notable Events:*After Tanduay filed a leave of absence, some remnants were absorbed, along with several amateur prospects by Purefoods Corporation....
, Shell
Shell Turbo Chargers
The Shell Turbo Chargers is a former Philippine Basketball Association team under the ownership of Pilipinas Shell Corporation. Shell has been a member of the PBA since 1985 until 2005 when the team filed for a leave of absence after the season. Shell sold its franchise to PBL team Welcoat Paints...
plucked Dante Silverio out of retirement to replace Joe Lipa as their head coach. Silverio wasted no time in getting Tuadles' services again and this was made possible at the start of the 1989 season
1989 PBA season
The 1989 PBA season was the 15th season of the Philippine Basketball Association .-Notable Events:*The richest crop of rookies, and the most talented PBA batch of draftees, came to the PBA in its 15th.season, most notable names were Benjie Paras, Nelson Asaytono, Dindo Pumaren, Paul Alvarez, Zaldy...
. Silverio even went out of his way to get Arnie's younger brother Calvin from the 1989 rookie draft. It was a good year for Tuadles and Shell as the franchise, led by ROY/MVP Benjie Paras and sophomore Ronnie Magsanoc, did well in all three conferences, losing though to SMB's grandslam run.
Silverio eventually went back to retirement at the end of the 1989 season and Arlene Rodriguez replaced him as head coach at the start of the 1990 season. Without the father figure in Silverio, Tuadles was like a headless chicken with no sense of satisfaction at the Turbo Chargers camp. But he remained a vital cog with Shell, and was one of the key players responsible for giving Shell its first ever PBA title in that controversy-marred 1990
1990 PBA season
The 1990 PBA season was the 16th season of the Philippine Basketball Association .-Season Highlights:*The PBA increased its membership from 6 teams to 8, with the entry of expansion teams, RFM/Cosmos Bottling, Inc. and Pepsi-Cola...
Open Conference finals that saw Anejo Rhum 65 (Ginebra) walk out at 2:52 of the 2nd Quarter of Game 6. He was also responsible for giving the karate chop to chief Magsanoc defender Leo Isaac in the semifinals of the same conference that led to Isaac's unavailability in the finals. In the 2nd conference, a lot of fans were surprised to see Tuadles reuniting once more with his Presto/Great Taste teammates. But he was more than a welcome sight for Coach Jimmy Mariano as Tuadles, utilized by Mariano to backstop 1990 season MVP Allan Caidic, became more than just a reserve forward. In Game 7 of the All-Filipino Cup (AFC) finals between Presto and Purefoods, and with Caidic not playing because of an injury, Tuadles took over and dismantled Purefoods' defense to win the AFC. Tuadles scored 33 points as he ran rings around everyone else - Glenn Capacio & Alvin Patrimonio among others. Tuadles thereby became the first player in the history of the PBA to win two consecutive PBA titles wearing different uniforms. He to date remains the only player to have this distinction.
Twilight
Tuadles' career though ended with a whimper as he left the scene unceremoniously. His life ended abruptly in 1996 when, in a poker game with Ambet Antonio at San JuanSan Juan, Metro Manila
The City of San Juan or simply San Juan is a city in Metro Manila in the Philippines. Before the creation of Metro Manila, it was part of Rizal Province. Currently the smallest city in the region and the country in terms of area, San Juan is one of the smallest among the cities and municipalities...
, he was shot in the forehead allegedly by the former Games and Amusement Board chairman.