One cannot fully move forward into the future without looking back to its past.

And that was exactly what the PBA did on its golden anniversary celebration as the league paid tribute to its past by honoring the icons, the legends, and the personalities that made it what it is today while also looking forward to the bigger and brighter future ahead.

A five-decade worth of Philippine basketball history gathered inside the Grand Ballroom of the Solaire Hotel North on Friday, April 11, with the league's current stars standing side-by-side with the greats of the yesteryears in one night.

“Fifty years. I cannot imagine how long we've been. The first in Asia. Fifty years and it all began with a simple dream –  give the Filipino basketball players a league of their own. Now they're not only shining in the Philippines but they're also shining around Asia,” said PBA chairman Ricky Vargas.

The TNT executive also paid tribute to the first nine teams that formed what everyone knew as the PBA today back in 1975.

“It started in the Philippines. A stage where their talent would shine in a place they could truly call their home, the Philippines. Back then, it was just an idea. But nine great teams believed in it. They took the risk. They made it real,” he added.

The teams were Toyota, Crispa, U/Tex, Mariwasa-Noritake, Concepcion, Royal Tru-Orange (now San Miguel), Tanduay, Presto and 7-Up.

But, of course, the night belonged to the 50 Greatest Players – with the league adding 10 new names to the prestigious list while also honoring the first 40 announced during the league 25th and 40th anniversary celebration.

Leading the cast in the 10 new additions are greats Nelson Asaytono and grand slam winners Bong Hawkins and Jeffrey Cariaso who both graced the event to personally claim their PBA 50 Greatest trophies.

Also present were Danny Seigle, Manny Victorino, June Mar Fajardo and Scottie Thompson while the late Arnie Tuadles was represented by his son Rich and brother Calvin, Yoyoy Villamin by his wife Cynthia and son Earl.

Former Toyota coach Dante Silverio claimed the award on behalf of Abe King.

Also honored during the event were veteran sportswriters who have covered the league for a long time as well as team and league employees who have been serving the PBA, some even spanning from its inception up to present time.

PBA commissioner Willie Marcial also unveiled the league's new campaign slogan during the event. 

“Ganoon pa ring kamahal ng Pilipino ang PBA. Nandito na po tayo sa 50 years natin at solid pa rin ang PBA. Hindi basta-basta matitibag, pababagsakin, at mawawala,” said Marcial.

“That is why our campaign for the 50th anniversary is ‘PBA Solid,’” he added.