He would consequently win the MVP three more times, in alternate years-in ’84, ’86 and ’88. He is the first PBA player to achieve the feat (this was duplicated by Alvin Patrimonio who won his 4th MVP in 1997).

Fernandez became a member of the Mythical Five a total of 13 times in a professional career that lasted all of 19 years (coincidentally, he retired with the number 19).

Although it has been over a decade that he has been inactive in the pro league, "El Presidente" continues to be popular among basketball fans, even those who were too young to have seen him play. That’s how good he was.

Mon is a fellow Leyteno, although he hails from Southern Leyte and I, technically from the north although I do have relatives in his hometown of Maasin. My father’s hometown of Hindang is only a little over 30 kilometers north.

We were supposed to see each other and a common friend and Visayan, San Miguel Beer executive Lyndon Aguirre the other night before he left for the PBA Legends tour in the United States . Unfortunately, something came up and he took a rain check.

Fortunately though, I had sent him a set of questions over a week back, in anticipation of his arrival from Cebu , where he is currently based with his wife of a year, the former Karla Kintanar (a relative of my late colleague, Romy Kintanar).

So here are the questions and Fernandez’s answers:

What’s keeping you busy these days? "Since late last year, I have been involved with the National Basketball Training Center as head of the Visayas region. In fact we started training of about 40 boys aged 14-17 and as of today, we have had 4 sessions already. We are looking at 40 sessions of 2 hours each with the kids till end of May. There are a couple of future stars in this group, and I am definitely having fun teaching them. Although I can only teach them what I know" (and that would be how much, Mon?-EP).

Did you watch the Sta. Lucia-Purefoods Finals series? "I got to watch some of the games especially Game 7. Congrats to Exie (Robles), finally he has the All Filipino under his belt, and to Boyet Fernandez. I saw several basic fundamental skills that we have been trying to teach the kids- little things- but of great value if you possess them."

Who among the present cop of players impresses you? "I have not seen enough games for me to judge these guys. but I saw some talented guys whom I would challenge to perform consistently for some period of time in their career. I would take my hat off to those who can dominate the game for some period of time."

How about coaches? " Coaches in the Philippines are made by their managers/team owners. If he has the 100% support of the manager/team owner he gets the respect of the player. As far as I’m concerned all coaches here have great knowledge of the game. But for me, it's how they prepare their players to be confident and ready, and to peak at the right time. (injuries to key players play a big part in a coach’s success too...)"

Are you in shape? "Am I in shape? *%$# yes!!!! Im rolly polly!!! hehehe. I’ve forgotten how a weighing scale looks like.. to venture a guess? 210-230??? My playing weight was from college-154 to retirement-184, thereabouts and my elbows, knees and hips were very much sharper then...hehe. Its a good thing we started the NBTC last Feb.9. naka ball handling practice ako, lay up here and there, shooting bricks din."

What are your expectations for the PBA Legends Tour? "I expect to see a lot of our kababayans there, mga ka age namin or yung naka panood pa sa amin, sana ikwekwento sa mga anak nila na hindi kami ganito maglaro noong panahon namin, sabi sa akin ni Abe fashion show ang gagawin namin".

As can be gleaned from the above, Mon Fernandez has not lost his sense of humor and his basketball sense as well. We expect news from him on his U.S. trip and a good Visayan dinner and drinks with Lyndon when he comes back.