Former Pros: JB Yango

Jose Bernardo Yango (J.B. Yango for short) was perhaps one of the best low post players of all-time. He wasn't a star in the PBA but he earned the respect of all the players during his time with his rebounding ability and "sureball" inside scoring. The 6-3 Yango played in only a total of 7 seasons as a pro, majority of his stint was at the Tanduay Rhum Makers. He averaged 9.5 ppg,5.3 rpg in 273 total games as a pro.

Yango was born on August 20, 1958 in Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija. He was admittedly a self-confessed Yco fan growing up. The youngest of six kids sired by Felipe Yango to the former Purificacion Verzoa, Yango is married to the former Joy Bagapuro. Jayvee was introduced to the sport by an uncle. Jayvee fondly remembers when he would watch MICAA games on Television and root for Freddie Webb and company not knowing that one day, he’d actually get instructions from coach Webb and now from Sonny Reyes.

“Idolo ko talaga sila. Natatandaan ko pa sina Egay Gomez, Webb, Tolentino, Reyes, Valenzona. Tumangkad naman ako, kaya nagtuloy na ako sa basketball.”

Later, he was accompanied by a brother-in-law, Bing Cagungon, to try-out for a slot in the University of Santo Tomas Nuggets roster under Francis Wilson. He made it only in the reserve list. He left the team after a year and played for NCBA in the MUCAA. After high school, he went to San Beda, took up Commerce and played for the Red Lions in the NCAA for two years (1977 to 1979). In 1979, he joined Yco in the MICAA and his dreams partially turned into flesh. Jayvee was a standout in the amateur ranks as he was a member of the RP Youth squad in 1977, the RP ABC team in 1978, the RP Asian games quintet in 1981, and the RP SEAG five in 1981. In 1982, he turned pro and played for Tanduay.

He was a strong contender for Rookie of the Year honors in 1982 but he did not make it. “Okay tang kasi talagang minalas lang ang Tanduay. Hindi kami pumapasok sa round of four. Kulang tuloy ako sa puntos. But then, talaga namang magaling si Marte. He deserves the award. Siguro ako, Most Improved Player na lang.”

Even though he was undersized at 6-3, Yango played center at times and often held his own against the league's bigger centers. “Dito sa PBA malalaki na ang kalaban sa sentro. Mahirap na. Maliit lang ako, 6-3 lang ako. Puwede rin akong sentro pero mas at home ngayon ako sa power-forward. Sina Rudy Lalota at Ely Capacio ang sentro namin.”

When Tanduay folded up in 1987, his contract was assumed by the PBA's newest team Purefoods Hotdogs where he played an instrumental role in teaching young guns Jerry Codinera and Alvin Patrimonio the rudiments of post scoring and rebounding. He lasted only a season with the Hotdogs and retired the following year.