Former PBA coach and selection committee member Dante Silverio is proud to see the entire starting five of the fabled Toyota team be finally inducted to the 50 Greatest Players List.

Toyota greats Abe King and Arnie Tuadles are finally added to the elite list, joining former teammates and fellow PBA legends Ramon Fernandez, Francis Arnaiz and Robert Jaworski.

The two bannered the latest 10 players to be added to the 50 Greatest Lists alongside the likes of Nelson Asaytono, Manny Victorino, Jeffrey Cariaso, Bong Hawkins, Yoyoy Villamin, Danny Seigle and current PBA stars June Mar Fajardo and Scottie Thompson.

“Well, I think the five players are already deserving of the election. I don't think it can be questioned. Their statistics will bear truth for this particular selection,” said Silverio after the PBA and selection committee formally announced the new names to be inducted to the list.

“I am (happy) because it's been a long time coming for their election to the best 50 players in the PBA,” he added.

King and Tuadles were a huge part of Toyota’s dominance in the late 70’s and early 80’s. King played for the Toyota franchise from 1977 while Tuadles from 1979 and until the team’s disbandment in 1983.

The two went separate ways but nonetheless carved their own legendary careers with King becoming a 13-time PBA champion after playing for four different franchises in Toyota, San Miguel Beer, Presto and Purefoods.

Tuadles, on the other hand, became a nine-time PBA champion while playing for Toyota, Ginebra, Alaska, Shell and Presto.

Abe, according to veteran panelist and selection committee member Andy Jao, was the first player unanimously voted by the committee to be elected to the 50 Greatest List, indicating how great the former Toyota star was during his time.

“Committee may not say it but he was the first unanimous player,” Jao said of Abe’s selection.

“We all chose, you can ask them that, and eventually the eight others became unanimous but Abe was the first unanimous player that we all put down on our first list so he is really a player and he deserves it,” he added.

Admittedly a big fan of the late Tuadles, PBA great and also selection committee member Allan Caidic believed Tuadles paved the way to the next generation of league greats and stars.

“He’s one of my idols. Looking back isa siya may malaking impact sa akin kasi he’s the first rookie na naging member ng mythical five, second Ricardo Brown and then ako, and then eventually si Benjie Paras na-supersede lahat yon because he won rookie-MVP,” Caidic said of Tuadles.

For Silverio, there was no doubt that the two greats have earned their dues and they are much deserving of the recognition.

“I think they have proven that by winning championships for their teams. I don't think there's any other better way of saying that they have done what should be done, by winning championships,” Silverio said of the Toyota greats.

“They have proven that to be worthy of being a member of the PBA 50 Greatest List.”