Chris Newsome grateful to meet PBA Legends during 50th Season celebration

Since joining the Meralco Bolts in 2015, Chris Newsome has grown into the team’s undisputed leader and one of the most versatile stars in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

But during the league’s historic 50th Season celebration on October 4 and 5, the 35-year-old veteran admitted he felt like a fan again, as he met some of the PBA’s all-time greats for the very first time.

“Today is actually one of the first times that I get to meet some of these guys,” Newsome shared. “It’s nice to be able to shake their hand and thank them for all the things that they have done.”

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For Newsome, who is Filipino-American, most of his exposure to PBA legends came through highlight reels and old clips posted online.

“A lot of them I have only seen through videos and YouTube. To finally meet them in person—it’s really nice to bridge that gap,” he added.

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Chris Newsome keeps the Titan Ultra Giant Risers at bay after hitting a crucial four-pointer for the Meralco Bolts in the final quarter of the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup!#PBA50 #PBA50LID pic.twitter.com/rBegUYyumx

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) October 8, 2025

The two-day celebration included a homecoming event at the Meralco Theater on October 4 and a grand opening ceremony at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on October 5. Among the legendary players in attendance were Allan Caidic, Ramon Fernandez, Atoy Co, Alvin Patrimonio, Vergel Meneses, Bong Hawkins, Ronnie Magsanoc, Benjie Paras, Jojo Lastimosa, Johnny Abarrientos, and Arwind Santos, among others.

Newsome expressed deep appreciation for the impact these legends have had—not just on the league, but on generations of Filipino basketball players.

“Without these guys, we wouldn’t be where we are today as a league,” he said. “A lot of current players wouldn’t have had those idols to look up to, to inspire their PBA dreams. It’s a full-circle moment for many of us, including myself.”

Looking ahead, Newsome shared his ambition to one day be included in the league’s prestigious Top 100 Greatest Players list—a future continuation of the iconic PBA 50 Greatest Players list released in 1999.

“I’m excited to see that list of the top 100. You’ve got a bunch of young guys coming into the league who are capable of competing at a high level,” Newsome said. “It would be an honor to be part of that.”

While Newsome has had an impressive career, including multiple All-Star selections and a PBA championship, competition for the league’s next “greatest” list will be fierce. Still, his consistent leadership and contributions to Meralco’s rise over the past decade make a compelling case for future recognition.

As the PBA begins its next 50 years, players like Chris Newsome are helping bridge generations—both honoring the legends of the past and inspiring the stars of the future.

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