Purefoods retires Jerry Codiñera, Rey Evangelista jerseys

MANILA, Philippines — Former Purefoods stars Jerry Codiñera and Rey Evangelista finally had the closure they’ve always wanted.

The jerseys of the former teammates were retired by the franchise right before the Purefoods Star Hotshots clashed with Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in the first ‘Manila Clasico’ of the PBA’s 40th season Sunday, November 9 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Codiñera, 47, whose number 44 jersey will never be used by a Purefoods player again, admitted having goosebumps being back in the PBA and even seeing the old school Purefoods jerseys the current team was wearing as tribute.

For the “Defense Minister,” his return and the jersey retirement signifies closure for his illustrious career which includes two Best Player of the Conference Awards and multiple All-Defensive Team recognitions.

The former big man is also named to the PBA’s 25 Greatest Players of All Time.

“Buti na lang nagpalit ng pangalan kasi kung hindi, hindi ako mare-retire,” remarked Codiñera, whose career spanned from 1988 to 2005. “Walang closure. Tapos natapat pa sa game nila, parang, formally, culmination as a Purefoods player.“

(It’s good thing they changed the name back because if not, I would not get retired. There would be no closure. And then it was also the same day as their game, so formally it’s my culmination as a Purefoods player.)

Purefoods resumed its original name right before the 40th season following a Grand Slam with the name San Mig Super Coffee Mixers, paving the way for the jersey retirement of former Purefoods players.

Both Jerry Codiñera & Rey Evangelista, whose jerseys were retired, say they have no regrets & had fulfilling careers pic.twitter.com/aZ6eLUKOzx

— Jane Bracher (@janebracher) November 9, 2014

The former forward Evangelista, 42, who retired his number 7 jersey, bared he could not have asked for a better career which lasted 15 years from 1994 to 2009.

“Fulfilled ako dahil hindi ko in-expect talaga na tumagal yung career ko ng 15 years,” he said. “Hindi naman ako kagaya nila Jerry na magagaling pero as a role player, masaya ako na tumagal career ko.“

(I’m fulfilled because I really did not expect my career to last 15 years. I’m not like Jerry or the others who are really good but as a role player, I’m happy I had a long career.)

Evangelista, a role player during his career, won the Best Player of the Conference award in the 2002 Governors’ Cup and retired from the game in 2009. — Rappler.com