What really ails basketball Living Legend Robert “Sonny” Jaworski?
His son Dodot Jaworski Jr. explained the condition of his father, even as he revealed they are in continuous search of a specialist to treat the rare disease that has afflicted the well-loved basketball icon.
In an interview with media personality Anthony Taberna on his youtube channel, Dodot said his father is suffering from a blood disease, where his “iron level is high, but at same time anemic siya.”
“We’ve been trying to look for doctors here and abroad, but none of them can understand kung ano ‘yung nangyayari sa kanya,” revealed Dodot.
“Tuloy-tuloy lang po ang paghananap ng paraan para mahanap kung ano ‘yung cause ng blood disorder. Kaya we continue to ask for prayers na sana we’ll find a solution dito sa kanyang karamdaman,” he said.
The elder Jaworski has been ill since last year and has not fully recovered. He’s currently being treated at their family residence in Corinthian Gardens in San Juan.
Partly to blame, according to Dodot, was probably the long exposure to the physical strain on the hardcourt. Jaworski retired from the Philippine Basketball Association at the age of 52.
There are days that Jaworski is in high spirits and doing very well, but there are also days when he’s silent.
“Lumalabas na ‘yung mga sakit sa tuhod, sakit ng likod. He’s okay naman, but he’s not 100 percent in terms of his physical strength,” he said.
Dodot joined his father in 1995 as a rookie for the playing coach Jaworski Sr. at Ginebra. They won one championship together in the 1997 PBA Commissioners’ Cup playing as the Gordon’s Gin Boars.
On Oct. 16, Jaworski Sr. will be honored by the Philippine Postal Corporation with limited edition stamps featuring his images in celebration of the 75th year of the Philippines’ first stamp.
Dodot said Jaworski is very much aware of the honor bestowed on him and revealed that his mother, Evelyn herself provided the Philpost with his pictures from newspapers and magazine clippings, which she herself collated.
“Alam niya (Jaworski Sr.) The pictures were from my mom’s collections through the years. ‘Yung clippings ng mama ko, volumes and volumes ‘yan. Amazing talaga ang ginawang labor of love ng mama ko,” Dodot said.
“Our family is really humbled by this recognition. Sabi ng papa ko, kung wala kayo, wala kami. Tulungan niyo po kaming ipagdasal si papa,” he added.
One of those who posted his thoughts and support for Jaworski was his former Crispa rival and Ginebra teammate Philip Cezar.
“Coach Sonny Jaworski, I’m praying for your good health, alam ko kaya mo lampasan ‘yan, hindi kita malilimutan. Magkalaban at magkakampi,” said Cezar.
His post elicited responses from former players Allan Caidic, Joey Loyzaga, Jerry Codinera, Gherome Ejercito, former PBA coaches Louie Alas and former PBA referee Tito Varela, to name a few.
