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Joaquin Henson - The Philippine Star
April 9, 2025 | 12:00am
Miss PBA Mia Montemayor makes the ceremonial toss in the PBA’s first-ever game in 1975.
STAR / File
MANILA, Philippines — The first and only Miss PBA Mia Montemayor made the ceremonial toss to signal the start of the pro league’s first-ever game before 18,000 fans at the Araneta Coliseum on April 9, 1975. If Montemayor’s whereabouts were known, she would’ve been invited to grace the 50th anniversary doubleheader at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum today.
Montemayor stood in place of GAB chairman Louie Tabuena for the toss with PBA president Emerson Coseteng and PBA commissioner Leo Prieto witnessing the jump between Mariwasa Noritake’s Cisco Oliver and Concepcion Carrier’s Ramon Lucindo. Internet sources describe Montemayor as a celebrity and actress with at least three film credits, including the 1978 movie “Drigo Garrote: Jai Alai King” featuring Christopher de Leon and Marianne de la Riva.
Coincidentally, the 1975 debut was held on a Wednesday like today’s anniversary. A parade of muses kicked off the inaugural program with CFC’s Jean Saburit, Concepcion’s Miss Finland entry to the 1974 Miss Universe pageant Jhoanna Raunio, Crispa’s Reggie Prada, Mariwasa Noritake’s Miss Young International Debbie Enriquez, Royal Tru-Orange’s Marilou Valeriano, Tanduay’s Maricita Catibayan, Toyota’s Lolit Imperial, U-Tex’ 1974 Miss Philippines Guada Sanchez and 7-Up’s 1974 Miss Chinatown Arlene Cheng. Crispa’s Atoy Co said he missed the opening rites with Bogs Adornado, Freddie Hubalde, Bernard Fabiosa and Abet Guidaben as they were in Australia representing the Philippines at the New Zealand Friendship Games.
The first-ever basket in a PBA game was scored by Concepcion’s Joy Dionisio. His teammate Jimmy Noblezada scored 24 points in Concepcion’s 101-98 loss to Mariwasa Noritake. Noblezada, now 74, played in 276 games over seven PBA seasons from 1975 to 1981 and will attend today’s anniversary games.
